De-Influencing Our Families: Combating Materialism in a Social Media Age
October Is Here
October is here and I’ve already received Christmas “wish” lists from my teenage daughters. As I opened them, I laughed. But, I can’t really fault them because they are in the middle of a culture that prioritizes glam, excess, and materialism.
Indeed, most teenage girls (as well as younger and older women) are inordinately exposed to social media influencers pushing products on their posts and displaying their extravagant shopping “hauls.”
The Extravagance of Modern Teenage Life
This extravagance is displayed in many facets of the teenage life. When my wife and I were researching some items we needed to buy for our son to move into his college dorm, I came across families that were spending up to $8,000 (!!!!) on their daughters’ dorm decorations! $8,000!!!
How Did We Get Here?
We live in a strange conglomeration of social media influence, consumerism, and marketing. Our poor children are being constantly bombarded by people showing off and exalting their material items.
It seems our culture’s exaltation of consumerism is worse than it’s ever been. Thankfully, some influencers are starting to push back on this subculture. They are called “de-influencers” and are trying their best to critique these shopping hauls.
But, the influencer culture still remains and is as toxic forever. TikTok and other apps are making billions while their influencers are making millions—and our children are the victims.
What Can We Do About It as Parents?
In order to try to guard my daughters’ hearts, I’ve tried to explain to them the Christian virtue of stewardship. God has given our family certain blessings and we are to be good stewards of them.
Last Christmas, I told them they were not allowed to post their Christmas “hauls.” I let them know that their Christmas presents came from a place of love from their family and that showing off is not what Christ would have them to do.
Yet, they still got online and watched all their friends showcase their presents. Some had more than others as the comparison game was evident.
“Bragging” about material things is about the most un-Godly activity one can do and we as parents must fight hard to disciple our children to understand that.
Jesus’ Words About Treasure and Value
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
— Matthew 6:19-20
The Waste of Consumer Culture
The bottom line is everything we buy will be eventually thrown in the trash. The fashion industry generates approximately 92 million metric tons of textile waste per year, equivalent to a garbage truck of clothes dumped every second!
The fashion company H&M burned 12 tons of unsold clothing annually from 2013–2017. This waste stems from extravagance with rising luxury spending (5% yearly growth) vs. low recycling (only 15% of textiles reused).
It fuels 10% of global CO2 emissions, which is more than aviation and shipping combined!
A Call to Stewardship This Christmas
As Christmas season approaches, don’t let you and your children be part of the consumerism machine which eventually leads to literal incineration.
Give Christmas gifts. Buy them things they need. It’s wonderful to be able to be a blessing.
But our children, and society, are being taught that nothing is ever good enough. There’s always a nicer dress. There’s always a more impressive vehicle. There’s always a bigger house.
But as Christians, we are called to invest in eternity, not the temporal happiness of a world that is fading away.
Jesus wants your heart. Part of having peace in this world involves giving your heart to Him, and not a lifestyle of extravagance.
