Writing for the Net Generation
by Andrew Careaga
Believe it or not, there was a
time when Christians passionately discussed their faith in public. As Tom
Beaudoin points out in his book Virtual Faith, theology was a hot topic
on the streets and in the marketplace in the days of Gregory of Nissa (in
modern-day Turkey), a fourth-century theologian who wrote: If in this city
[Constantinople] you ask anyone for change, he will discuss with you whether
the Son is begotten or unbegotten. If you ask about the quality of bread, you
will receive the answer that "the Father is greater, the Son is less."
If you suggest that a bath is desirable, you will be told that "there was
nothing before the Son was created." Nowadays, Christians are going public
with their faith once again in the global marketplace of the Internet. In chat
rooms and discussion boards, over instant messaging and on Web sites,
Christians are discussing their beliefs with renewed vigor. This is good news
for Christian writers. The Internet revolution gives us a new global pulpit
from which we can share the message of our faith -- and in so doing, fulfill
our Great Commission mandate to "go and make disciples of all
nations" (Matthew 28:19).
Reaching wired teens
A huge chunk of that online
mission field consists of teenagers. According to a Pew Internet Project
report, Nearly three-quarters of American teens are online. Today's wired teens
are the first wave of a tsunami of digital kids called the Net Generation. At
81.2 million strong -- 30 percent of the
What makes this generation
different?
The Net is their element. For
most N-Geners, the Internet is the communications medium of choice. They get
their sports and entertainment news online. They're more likely to read online
devotionals than older Net users, according to a Barna Research Group report.
And according to another Pew Internet Project study, today's teens prefer
sending instant messages than talking on the telephone. This presents a new
communications challenge for the church: writing in the pidgin English of the
IM world. R U up to the challenge? They want interactivity. The Internet,
unlike TV, radio or print, is an empowering medium. It allows users to interact
with, and even greatly influence, the creators of content in this new medium.
Some of the most popular cyber-communities for teens, such as Bolt.com, don't
even provide content -- just a platform for interactive communication among
some 4 million teens. "Our model is communication; we provide the
context," says Bolt co-founder Dan Pelson.
How can we reach them?
To connect with the Net
Generation, writers must create content that provides interactive experiences
-- discussion forums, chat rooms, weblog feedback loops, and so on. Experts,
schmexperts. With traditional media, audiences rely on the expertise of others
-- reporters, editors, pundits, the so-called experts -- to sift through
information and present what really matters. But the Net Generation casts a cynical
eye toward traditional institutions -- such as the media, government and the
church -- and is more likely to trust firsthand reports from peers or
"underground" information channels. N-Geners expect to be able to
discuss topics without going through an intermediary. Writers, then, must
present themselves as the genuine article. To this generation, authenticity
means more than expertise.
Presence and Availability
While the Internet will never
replace the need for a "real-life" church, it's evident that the
church must be a very real presence in cyberspace. As more people turn to
search engines in their quest for meaning, Christian writers must be available
online to point these seekers toward "the way, the truth and the
life" (John 14:6). Copyright © 2001 Andrew Careaga. All rights reserved.
Andrew Careaga is the author of the books:
eMinistry: Connecting with the Net Generation
E-vangelism: Sharing the Gospel in Cyberspace.
Also, Andrew is a volunteer youth minister.
Andrew Careaga's web sites:
eministryonline
e-vangelism.com