Media Alert!
October 2026
BLOG #83
MediaSavvyKids.org
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (The Message)
Lies Teenagers May Believe
Teenagers often struggle with the task of sorting through the daily onslaught of information, as they spend hours each day online, with most of that time on social media sites. “The latest findings report that US teens (13-17) spend 3 hours and 17 minutes daily on social media, with 51% reporting ‘almost constant’ use.” (worldmetrics.org)
Teens are different than adults, often mistaking feelings for facts. Most adults recognize there is a definite difference between information, misinformation, and disinformation.
- information – news or a message that is known to be true
- misinformation – news or a message that is false but thought by the information provider to be true
- disinformation – news or a message that is false and known to be false by the provider
And many teens are unable to recognize the influence of peers on what they already believe about themselves, the world around them, and their relationship with it. Adding to the struggle is whose values are they choosing: their own, their peers, their social media influencers and content creators, their parents and family members, their church?
The result of all of this can be confusion, for some, and often a noticeable vacillation in what they say and do each day. Teens often believe various misconceptions about life that can negatively impact their self-esteem and decision-making. These unsettling thoughts can stem from societal pressures, peer influence, and unrealistic expectations, leading to feelings of inadequacy and confusion.
Here are a few examples of confused teens’ beliefs:
1) I am the center of my own universe.
2) I deserve to be happy all the time.
3) I must have choices.
4) I am my own authority.
5) Information is all I need, so I don’t need teachers.
(“Combating Technology’s Lies”, Kathy Koch)
From another source:
1) No one understands me.
2) Being popular will make me happy.
3) If I don’t ace this test, I’ll never get into college.
4) No one else is struggling like I am.
5) Dating someone will make me happy.
6) If I’m not perfect, I’m a failure.
7) My parents don’t want me to have any fun.
8) Things will never get better.
(“8 Lies Your Teen Believes”, http://www.markmerrill.com/058-8-lies-your-teen-believes-podcast)
These seemingly common feelings in teens come from an accumulated blend of media messages and images in advertisements, magazine covers, music lyrics, movies, TV, and social media posts. This indoctrination is the composite belief that “everyone looks better than me”, “everyone does everything better than me”, and “everyone is enjoying life more than me”. Sometimes those thoughts can move teens towards self-harm.
“Overall, approximately three fourths of U.S. high school students reported using social media at least several times a day. Frequent social media use among students was associated with higher prevalence of bullying victimization at school and electronically, persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, having seriously considered attempting suicide, and having made a suicide plan.” (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/su/su7304a3.htm?preview=true&site_id=816)
These deceptive ideas are often embedded in a teen’s thinking and attitudes and are not easily erased. It’s important to affirm your teen and help him or her understand that they are important and have meaning. Consider sharing and discussing these scriptures:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” 2 Timothy 1:9 NIV
Reinforcing the importance of God and His plan can encourage your teen to think biblically, rather than accept the world’s thoughts and values.
So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?
The undoing of your teen’s negative and oppressive self-deprecating thoughts will take intentionality and time. It is the accumulation of years of input that have caused these muddled feelings. Stay positive and start conversations that stimulate deeper thinking. Try these discussion starters:
• Share, “We often think others have it better than we do. This happens frequently when we read postings on social media platforms. Afterall, people tend to only post the good things that are going on in their lives – not the difficulties they may be having.”
• Ask, “Why do you think many people post positive stories or experiences on social media? What is their reasoning?”
• Share, “Let’s talk about the positive things in our lives and the blessings we have experienced. I’ll go first and name one thing, and then you name one thing, and so on.”
• Ask, “Most images in TV commercials make it seem as if everyone else is beautiful and successful. Do you think these are realistic? Why or why not?”
• Ask, “You have probably seen news stories or documentaries about people who live in under-developed nations. Do you compare their circumstances to yours? If you do, how does that make you feel?”
• Share, “Booker T. Washington was a famous African-American educator, author, and speaker. This is what he said:
‘A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good just because it’s accepted by a majority.’
What do you think about this statement? Do you think it is only an opinion or do you think it is true?”
• Share, “Everyone has issues, problems, and shortcomings. Here’s what Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13:
‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’
That may seem hard to understand, at first, but it’s really one’s attitude, rather than life’s experiences that can make all the difference.”
• Share, “Let’s think about these quotes, both by Booker T. Washington and the apostle Paul, and discuss them again soon.”
• Share: “Think about this trademarked slogan:
‘I am not defined by the culture®’
What do you think this means?”
Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.
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Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.
She is the Director of Media Alert!
Contact Info:
Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org
Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org
Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org
#MediaSavvyKids, #ChristianParenting, #ChurchAndCulture, #YouthPastors, #YouthGroupCurriculum, #HelpForChristianParents, #TeensAndCulture, #AChangingCulture, #CriticalThinkingAndTeens, #IAmNotDefinedByTheCulture, #LiesTeensMayBelieve, #MediaMessagesAndTheirImpactOnTeenThinking, #AttitudeIsEverything!
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Sue’s newest book is a curriculum with 25 lessons for Christian teachers, youth pastors, homeschool parents, and Sunday School teachers. The lessons encourage teens to think about the culture that surrounds them and discover what God says about all of it.
Let’s Raise Media-Savvy Kids!
Lessons to Help Teens Stand for Christ in Today’s Culture
It is now available on Amazon for $15.99.
Be sure to buy this curriculum for home-school families, youth pastors, or Christian middle- or high-school teachers.
© Sue Summers 2026
