Media and Youth

I am writing this entry in a hotel room in Morgantown WV. My reason for being in WV is that I am attending a Youth Leader Retreat called SOY Retreat. This is where youth leaders from the friends denomination get a break just to relax and learn some stuff. I am a youth intern at my church, so qualified to come.
Anyway, now to what I really want to talk about. Being a youth leader you see the effects the media has on teenagers. Being able to share in this struggle, and blessing with other youth leaders has been a refreshing opportunity. I call it a struggle and a blessing for the simple fact that the media's influence can both help and hinder youth today. I see to many youth in my church that are being told who they are and what they think by the media. I would write a book about thi, but i am sure there is one already written. In today's society, media has erased parents from the equation and stepped in to take control and shape young people's lives.
However, being in youth ministry, media has its advantages. With youth ministry we try to think outside the box and relate to the kids in ways they know and their lifestyles. Whether it is communication through facebook to your youth group, or having a blog that posts reviews on bands, and things that your youth just has to check out can be very useful. As a youth leader, we need to play ball in their court, and meet them where they are.