Teens choosy about Internet; churches embrace martial arts; child abuse drops; more
Wired — Teens are finding their way online in record numbers. But that doesn’t mean they relish all aspects of the Internet equally. According to a study from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, 93 percent of youth ages 12-17 go online, and three-quarters of them own a cell phone. But while huge numbers of them are involved in social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace, a comparatively small number—just 14 percent—have their own blog. That’s half of what the rate was in 2006. Twitter is even less popular, with only 8 percent of 12-17-year-olds admitting to using the microblogging platform. (Pew Research Center)
Fighting for Faith — Turn the other cheek? Yeah, right. A growing number of evangelical churches are embracing mixed martial arts as a way to both reach and minister to young men. Some estimate there are as many of 700 churches across the country hooking into MMA events in some manner. One such church— Xtreme Ministries in Nashville, Tenn.—doubles as an MMA academy and sports the slogan, “Where Feet, Fist and Faith Collide.” “Compassion and love—we agree with all that stuff, too,” says Brandon Beals of Seattle’s MMA-tinged Canyon Creek Church. “But what led me to find Christ was that Jesus was a fighter.” (New York Times)
Child Abuse Drops — In welcome news, rates of serious child abuse dropped by 26 percent between 1993 and 2006. Sexual abuse is far less common than it was 17 years ago, with reports down 38 percent since 1993. Other forms of physical abuse have also dipped by 15 percent. Experts believe the drop can be explained by greater public awareness of the problem, along with more stringent law enforcement efforts to stamp it out. (Associated Press)
Not Child’s Play — Nearly $21.5 billion worth of toys were sold in 2009—and that was down from $21.7 billion the year before. Building sets saw a 17 percent increase, while sales of stuffed animals fell by about 13 percent. (NPD)
Top Hollywood Earners, 2009
1. Michael Bay (director/producer): $125 million
2. Steven Spielberg (director/producer): $85 million
3. Roland Emmerich (director/producer): $70 million
4. James Cameron (director/producer): $50 million
5. Todd Phillips (director): $44 million
6. Daniel Radcliffe (actor): $41 million
7. Ben Stiller (actor): $40 million
8. Tom Hanks (actor): $36 million
9. J.J. Abrams (director/producer): $36 million
10. Jerry Bruckheimer (director/producer): $35.5 million
Source: Vanity Fair
More Youth Culture Updates:
YCU: Bullying linked to suicide
YCU: Twittering for Dollars
YCU: Teens Go Jobless
YCU: Strangling Game Online
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