THE YOUTH CULTURE REPORT BLOG

By     Rachel Blom

Just today I read an article about the so-called ‘cinnamon challenge’, where teens have to swallow a spoonful of ground cinnamon without water. It’s becoming a bit of a trend, with many YouTube videos more or less promoting it. Doctors are warning about the dangers though, which include breathing problems and even the risk of a collapsed lung.

As a youth worker, my first reaction to news like this is: I have to discuss this with my teens, I have to warn them about the dangers of this cinnamon challenge to make sure they never participate in it. But you have to wonder: is warning teens about dangerous stunts effective?

Research shows it is, when you warn them the right way.

We all know that teenage brains aren’t fully grown yet. That doesn’t mean teens can’t calculate the risks of their actions though. As a matter of fact, teens tend to overestimate the risks of their actions compared to adults.

The big difference between teens and adults however is that teens have far more tolerance for the unknown and for unknown risks. Research shows that when the risks are known, teens take fewer risks than adults, but when the risks aren’t clear, teens will go for the new experience despite a general risk.

A second difference is that for teens the ‘rewards’ weigh completely different than for adults. Especially young teens have trouble weighing the risks against the rewards, because they value new experiences and the thrill (meaning dopamine release) so much.

It is effective therefore to warn teens about the risks of dangerous behavior, for instance this cinnamon challenge, or other trends that have come along. But this warning is only effective when the risks are clearly communicated in terms teens can understand. Statistics don’t mean anything to them, but…

By Jonathan McKee

“I don’t know why you spend any time looking at pop culture. All you need to know is in the Bible!”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that accusation. Just last week I blogged about the number one song teenagers are listening too and received criticism for even bringing it to attention.

Is pop culture something we even need to pay attention to?

The Apostle Paul did. In Acts, Chapter 17, Paul went to Athens. While he was waiting for others, he did his normal routine, walking around the city and learning about the culture of the people he wanted to reach.

As Paul took in his secular surroundings, his reaction is noteworthy:

1. He was distressed: Paul walked around Athens looking at the idols and listening to the pagan poets; and verse 16 cites “he was distressed” with what he observed. I don’t know about you, but I can relate to that. When I look at what young people are gleaning from today’s music, the over-consumption (dare I say addiction) of social media, or even the way young girls are choosing to dress today… as a parent of three teenagers, I’m distressed! The question is, how should adults respond?
2. He used their culture as a discussion springboard to get to the Gospel: Some people might have expected Paul to start knocking idols over and kicking Athenian butt. Instead, Paul reasoned with them in the synagogues and in the marketplace. And when he began to talk to the crowds in that famous speech on Mars Hill, he started with their culture, using it to open the door to talk about Jesus. He basically said, Hey guys, I notice you are really religious—I can see that by all the idols you worship. You’ve been even worshipping an…
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