Introduction to The Parent Connection
by Jay Gage

Our world is moving way too fast! ipods, text messaging, instant messaging, my space, camera phones, and the list goes on. Kids today have technology in their pockets that we could have only dreamed of when we were teenagers. I mean I thought I was super cool when I got a Walkman in 8th grade, and my best friend was the envy of everyone when he got a Commodore 64 computer.

As a youth minister, I have had to work hard at staying in touch with the latest craze in youth culture, and I must admit that the older I get, the harder that is. Thankfully, in a few years I will have a genuine teenager living under my own roof, which should help.

I also know that a lot of parents still think the communication of choice for teens is email, and while kids still use email a lot, it's becoming "old school" very quickly. Studies show that our kids are bombarded with over 3000 messages a day. I know its impossible to control or to even know where all of those messages come from, but that doesn't mean parents have lost all control. Many of those messages are streaming into your home through a computer, cable TV, or phone connection, and you do have control over those things.

I receive several newsletters, emails, and magazines about youth and trends in the culture, and I will simply be passing that on to you. I will also be putting my own "two cents" worth in based on nearly 15 years in the trenches with youth. This first edition will have a lot of information concerning the Internet since that seems to be the hot topic at the moment. I hope you will use this as a tool rather than a weapon with your teenager, and that it will be a source of information and hope for this generation.