https://www.commonsensemedia.org

In the interest of student safety, privacy and cybersecurity and providing a beneficial learning environment, it’s important to evaluate each app before downloading it. Here are 7 important questions to ask yourself before downloading a new app for your kids to use. Visit this site for the questions: https://staysafeonline.org/blog/seven-questions-ask-downloading-new-app-kids/

Our troop had a great meeting with Bark in mid December 2020. Here are a couple more resources for social media monitoring with Bark: https://www.facebook.com/barktechnologies

Discord - Chat for Gamers is a voice- and text-chat tool geared toward adult gamers. Its developers created it to replace other voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP) apps that gamers use to talk to each other in real time while they play games, especially MMOs. Read more parents reviews here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/discord-chat-for-gamers/user-reviews/adult

Randonautica is a unique app that generates random coordinates and encourages users to venture out to the given point. The app's premise is that through exploration users can develop a better understanding of self and their community, leading to the "beauty of shared global consciousness." The app includes a link to a YouTube video that explains what Randonautica is all about and a link to "The 9 Tenets of the Randonauts." The app offers specific tips that include having a positive mindset, adventuring with friends during the day, and respecting private property. Read parent reviews here: commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/randonautica. Also, see what other groups say about it here: nytimes.com/2020/07/31/style/randonautica-app.html and here: reddit.com/r/TrueChristian/comments/i7i0d7/randonautica/.

It is a free location sharing app which stands for Make it Happen (Mappen). But the rebrand to 20 is just a new slang to that means what is your location. The description on the app store says “SEE WHERE YOUR FRIENDS ARE AND MEET UP”. Using this app kids can share their exact location with friends so they can plan to hang out together in the real world. For more information, visit: https://kidsnclicks.com/5-things-parents-should-know-about-mappen-app/

Yolo is an anonymous question-and-answer app that connects to Snapchat as a way for friends to send comments and questions to each other. The person using Yolo can reply to the comment or answer the question on the Snapchat story along with a picture.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2019/06/18/yolo-app-raises-bullying-concerns/1292307001/

Movies to Watch with Your Tweens: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/movies-to-watch-with-tweens-and-teens-that-dont-make-you-look-like-a-dork

Movie Review for film, "Divergent": https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/divergent?utm_expid=.RCp3TD4oT6qWuBfx5635Eg.0&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Here is an article by CNN about internet acronyms parents should know: https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/08/living/internet-acronyms-every-parent-should-know/index.html

Watch this powerful interview with 25-year-old Josh Miles and his father Willie Miles. On January 3, 2020 Josh was rushed to the hospital after his temperature spiked to 106 degrees. His father says during the car ride to the hospital Josh lost consciousness, but Josh says he left his body and encountered hell and then heaven. When he finally reached the hospital and awoke, doctors informed him he experienced a heart attack, stroke, and seizures.

The Bible teaches us the truth, it rebukes us in the error, it corrects us when we are wrong, and it gives us instruction to lead a righteous life.

My mother taught us the scripture, "Everything lawful isn't expedient." This is a paraphrase of I Corinthians 10:23. Watch the video over to the left and read the article below for some useful information and guidelines: http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_questions/Answers/music/secular_music.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/med-students-send-message-plantation-photo-we-are-our-ancestors-n1104776

https://defendersmedia.com/

"Oh How I Love Jesus"

The Case for Ancient Monotheism Documentary - YouTube

The Genesis Story | Lecture One - YouTube

God’s Love:

“For God so loved the word that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)

Strength in Christ:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Don’t Worry, Pray:

“Don’t worry about anything, instead prayer about everything. And the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

About Temptation:

“No temptation has overtaken you, but such is common to man, and God is faithful, he will not allow you to tempted beyond what you are able, but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Purity:

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living it according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9)

Trust in the Lord:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God is Greater:

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

God Gives Power, Love, and Self-control:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.“ (2 Timothy 1:7)

Do Not Fear:

“Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Armor of God:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

God Gives a Future and Hope:

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and to help you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Transformed for God’s Purposes:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Be Strong and Courageous:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Guard Your Heart:

“Guard your heart above all things, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Give Your Worries to God:

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Freedom in Christ:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

Forgiveness:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Obedience and Honor:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise— that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Importance of Our Thoughts:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Fruit of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Be an Example:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Wisdom in God:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

Resist the Enemy:

“Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Where Real Life Is Found:

“He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:12)

This is only a beginning, there are so many more important Scriptures for teens to know which offer wisdom and truth for strong lives. God bless you and your families as you hide His word in your hearts.

https://www.crosswalk.com/family/parenting/25-scripture-verses-every-teen-should-memorize.html

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but should have everlasting life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yrv66pVvM8