Sure, some experts believe social networks may be playing into increased levels of narcissism; but it also can help youth think more broadly and more philanthropically about the world around them. For example, We Day, a youth-targeted charity event that has 3.3 million fans on Facebook is in the words of Time’s Bonnie Rochman, “essentially a big pep rally for [youthful] dedicated volunteers, a way to congratulate and celebrate their selflessness and spur them on to do more. Since the event launched, middle school and high school students have contributed more than 4 million volunteer hours and raised $26 million for 900 different charities and causes.” For six years, We Day has been predominantly a Canadian celebration, but this year it debuted in the United States—at Key Arena in Seattle on March 27. The day featured appearances by Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson, Nelly Furtado, Martin Luther King III and others. About 15,000 students attended—not by buying tickets, but by earning them, getting involved through their own schools and charities. (Time)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.