Wisdom in a Scroll-Happy World: Helping Our Kids Go Deeper
Your child may not ask for wisdom this Christmas, but they might ask for a phone upgrade.
And in today’s world, that’s not a small request.
With every device comes the daily flood: reels, influencers, memes, health hacks, friend rants, celebrity takes, AI suggestions, and algorithm-driven everything. And while previous generations had to hunt for knowledge, today’s kids trip over it before breakfast.
In a recent global survey, over 45% of Gen Z respondents said they trust their friends or social media more than doctors when it comes to wellness advice. A growing trend of “crunchy teens” now bypasses medical professionals entirely in favor of Instagram and TikTok creators who offer bold, naturalistic alternatives, many of which sound good but may lack truth or accountability.
What’s happening here?
Dr. Kathy and Wayne dug into this question on the Celebrate Kids Podcast, and the answer isn’t just about misinformation. It’s about formation.
Knowledge Is Everywhere. But Wisdom?
For today’s kids, knowledge doesn’t feel like something to be pursued; it just arrives. It pings their phone and seems baked into their apps. It often comes with a face: an influencer with good lighting and a confident voice who “just wants to help.”
And because we are relational by design, we often trust that face over a credential. Rarely do we ask, “What are their qualifications?” and instead lean into, “Do I like how they made me feel?”
The result? We lead a generation overwhelmed with content but under-equipped to sort it.
Dr. Kathy reminded us that discernment must be taught. That means us, helping kids ask:
“Who said this, and why should I trust them?”
“What does God’s Word say about this?”
“Is this new, or just trending?”
“Is this helping me flourish or just feeding my fear?”
Teaching Our Kids to Go Deeper
Your child may know how to Google. But do they know how to question?
That’s the goal, not to limit their access to information, but to strengthen their ability to discern truth, especially when it comes cloaked in charisma.
Dr. Kathy puts it plainly:
“We must teach kids to want to know more, and to not be satisfied with the first hit of the search engine.”
This isn’t just about being skeptical; it’s about being grounded.
It means helping them understand the difference between a fact and faithfulness, between looking smart and living wisely. And most of all, it means guiding them to seek wisdom the way Solomon did, not for status, but for service.
What Does It Mean to Flourish?
We asked Dr. Kathy what flourishing looks like in today’s digital world. Is it being well-liked? Having perfect skin and a six-pack? Having the car, house, family, or church everyone wants?
She gently, but firmly, said no.
Flourishing happens when your child knows who they are and what they’re made for. That’s what helps them filter what they see. That’s what gives them the clarity to reject a lie wrapped in a catchy reel.
Flourishing is not about having more; it’s about becoming more like Christ.
That means fewer comparisons and living a life of conviction that pursues abundance in Christ, not in clicks.
Parents, Here’s the Good News
Your kids don’t need you to know everything. They just need you to stay in the conversation.
When they walk into the room excited about something they saw online, resist the urge to dismiss it. Ask questions. Be curious. And model what it looks like to dig deeper. Say out loud:
“That sounds interesting. What was the source?”
“Let’s compare that with what the Bible says.”
“Here’s why I trust this person instead.”
When they watch you seek wisdom, they’ll understand that’s something to do, and it can guide them to want to seek it too.
Engage the 8 Great Smarts to Build Discernment
Word Smart – Encourage journaling questions: “Where did I hear this? What do I believe about it?” Or compare headlines across sources.
Logic Smart – Use compare-and-contrast activities. What’s the difference between a trained expert and a trendy influencer?
Picture Smart – Let them design a “Truth Filter” graphic or draw a mind map showing how they evaluated a source.
Music Smart – Talk through lyrics of trending songs; are they wise, true, or just catchy?
Body Smart – Act out real-life scenarios where they have to discern truth from hype. Practice role-playing a “wise” response.
Nature Smart – Explore God’s creation and how it reflects order and design. Use it to talk about truth and reliability.
People Smart – Discuss: Who do you trust and why? What makes someone a trustworthy source?
Self Smart – Invite reflection: “Why did I believe that? Was it truth, or did it just feel good?”
Remember, you don’t have to fear the flood of information.
With your guidance and God’s grace, your kids can learn to seek wisdom over noise, truth over trends, and flourishing over fame.