With the rise of social networking, so many teens have blurred their private lives and their public personas. Relationships are formed through text messages. Adolescents may post online photos they later regret. Rumors can turn into harmful online rants.
We are in an age of being more connected, yet more isolated by our status updates. How can youth workers help teens gain divine perspective on technology?
The Social Network reveals all the personal pettiness behind the creation of Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg comes across as a lonely, driven, anti-social programmer. His struggles with women, and social clubs drive him to gain credibility by creating “the Facebook.” Students will find few role models amid this dark drama, perhaps sparking a discussion about how friending others pales in comparison to walking with fellow disciples for the long haul.
The smart comedy, Easy A, demonstrates how quickly lies can spread in high school. Emma Stone stars as Olive, a well-behaved student who manufactures a juicy story about hooking up with a college guy. Unfortunately, gossiping Christians pledged to purity turn crusade against her. As payback, Olive engages in a floozy façade, donning risqué clothing and a scarlet letter ‘A’ (a la Nathaniel Hawthorne). Through a tell-all webcast, Olive (and Easy A) raises frank questions about sexuality, double standards and why Christians are (mis)perceived.
Hereafter begins with a harrowing recreation of the 2004 tsunami that devastated Thailand and Indonesia. Matt Damon stars as a psychic burdened by what he can foresee. His clients all are haunted by death. Director Clint Eastwood focuses less on where we are going than the feelings of those left behind to grieve. Teens who rarely consider eternity may find the slow, contemplative pace of Hereafter sparks thoughtful reflection about Scripture passages focused on the kingdom to come.
Secretariat provides plenty of reasons to cheer. Director Randall Wallace puts viewers on the track, amid Secretariat’s thrilling 1973 run for horse racing’s triple crown. This winning film focuses on the colorful team behind Secretariat’s victories, including trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) and jockey Ron Turcotte. Diane Lane offers an Oscar-worthy performance as determined owner, Penny Chenery, taking on the old boys’ club. Secretariat will leave teen moviegoers smiling from their encounter with a miraculous horse.
Waiting for Superman is depressing, as well as motivating. Oscar-winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim finds many reasons why our public schools often fail teens. Too many adults (sadly represented by the teachers unions) fail to put kids’ interests above their own. The title refers to the bright inner city students who are waiting for a Superman who never comes to their rescue. With so many overburdened schools undercutting kids’ futures, we need to deliver Jesus’ faith, hope and love for teens more than ever.
Filmmaker Craig Detweiler directs the Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture at Pepperdine University. His book Halos and Avatars: Playing Video Games with God provides practical advice for youth workers trying to inspire authentic faith among teens captivated by virtual worlds.
