Welcome to Apologetics with Carl Kerby!
Today, we’re talking about alcoholism.
One reason alcoholism is a growing problem among teens is that it’s often glamorized in media advertising.
Alcohol commercials never portray drinking as the cause of domestic violence, chronic health problems, or drunk-driving deaths. Instead, alcohol advertisements portray smiling friends clinking their wine glasses together in an upper-class apartment or camouflaged-dressed hunters kicking back drinking beers with beautiful mountain scenes behind them.
And despite supposed safeguards, these positive alcohol portrayals appear to be reaching teens through social media.
According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, teens using social media were much more likely to drink—THREE TIMES AS LIKELY, in fact—than teens not on social media.
Parents should realize the danger of social media’s influence on their teens—especially when it comes to alcohol.
As Proverbs 12 reminds us, “[T]he way of the wicked leads [people] astray” (ESV).
And what about the film industry’s portrayal of alcohol? We’ll discuss that another time.
For additional resources, go to www.hopetools.net. Stay bold!
Carl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
