When Olivia Bruner saw video games overtaking her young sons' lives, she decided to learn the facts behind addiction. What she found was shocking: that most games are designed to be highly addictive-triggering physiological reactions in the brain similar to those associated with substance abuse-and that one out of five kids becomes addicted to computer and video games. And while many parents screen the content of games to protect their children from violent and sexual themes, few understand the forces causing their children to become hooked on the "digital drug." This book arms parents with the facts they need and concrete steps to protect our children from this very real epidemic. A must-read for all parents.

WARNING: This video game may impair your judgment. It may cause sleep deprivation, alienation of friends and family, weight loss or gain, neglect of one's basic needs as well as the needs of loved ones and/or dependents, and decreased performance on the job. The distinction between fantasy and reality may become blurred. Play at your own risk. Not responsible for suicide attempts, whether failed or successful. No such warning was included on the latest and greatest release from the Warcraft series of massive multiplayer on-line role-playing games (MMORPGs)—World of Warcraft (WoW). So when Ryan Van Cleave—a college professor, husband, father, and one of the 11.5 million Warcraft subscribers worldwide—found himself teetering on the edge of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, he had no one to blame but himself. He had neglected his wife and children and had jeopardized his livelihood, all for the rush of living a life of high adventure in a virtual world. Ultimately, Ryan decided to live, but not for the sake of his family or for a newly found love of life: he had to get back home for his evening session of Warcraft. A fabulously written and gripping tale, Unplugged takes us on a journey through Ryan's semi-reclusive life with video games at the center of his experiences. Even when he was sexually molested by a young school teacher at age eleven, it was the promise of a new video game that lured him to her house. As Ryan's life progresses, we witness the evolution of videogames—from simple two-button consoles to today's complicated multi-key technology, brilliantly designed to keep the user actively participating. As is the case with most recovering addicts, Ryan eventually hits rock bottom and shares with the reader his ongoing battle to control his impulses to play, providing prescriptive advice and resources for those caught in the grip of this very real addiction.

Media Today puts students at the center of profound changes in the twenty-first century media world -from digital convergence to media ownership- and gives them the skills to think critically about what these changes mean for the role of media in their lives.

A national epidemic of exhaustion is raging across all cultures and social statuses with a huge price being paid in our lives and relationships. Chasing Skinny Rabbits gets at the root of why we're so prone to exhaustion. As award-winning author John Trent advises, if you don't understand and deal with life's Skinny Rabbits-those things that distract you and lead you to a negative place-more can't-miss strategies for gaining time and energy will simply lead to more exhaustion. In this book Trent discusses why we're so prone to chase Skinny Rabbits and offers the five most common Rabbit Trails- All take and no give Triple your possessions Perfectionism When I get that . . . Small thinking and the five most common Rabbit Traps- Pride Busyness Fantasy Isolation White lies He then helps readers shift focus to what can lead to true life, true energy, and true fulfillment, as well as a place of real emotional and spiritual rest.

The Twilight Phenomenon Forbidden Fruit or Thirst- Quenching Fantasy? equips parents and leaders to candidly discuss the Twilight series with teens who have been caught up in the romance of a human girl and a vampire boy. Much like Harry Potter caught the attention of millions of boys worldwide with spellbinding tales, the Twilight series is holding teenage girls captive with tempting fantasy stories that peak young impressionable minds. Readers of The Twilight Phenomenon will be shocked with the compelling truth behind why the Twilight series is so entrancing. It answers questions including:Do vampires have souls? What is immortality how is it lost or gained? What is the nature of evil? What sacrifices should be made for love?What is the nature of temptation? Veteran authors of books exposing the good and bad reality of popular books,Kurt and Olivia Bruner successfully help parents navigate the challenges and opportunities that emerge from pop culture by leveraging teen interests to drive dialogue about Christian orthodoxy. Other books by the Bruner s include Finding God in the Lord of the Rings, Shedding Light on His Dark Materials,Playstation Nation, and How to Mess UpYour Child s Life. Concerned parents, teachers, grandparents, youth leaders, and all adults who care about children and young adults will greatly value the wisdom and intelligent conversation shared in The Twilight Phenomenon Forbidden Fruit or Thirst Quenching Fantasy?

There are several people in life you don't want to hear say, "Oops!" Your barber, your mechanic, and your surgeon are three that come to mind. So do your parents and spouse. And yet, few of us put much thought into how we can create happier homes. Now, Christian parenting experts Kurt and Olivia Bruner have created a tongue-in-cheek but invaluable guide that helps parents move past "oops" to intentional, fun, and faith-filled parenting. In a way that keeps parents engaged amid the nonstop grind of jobs and household chores, the Bruners walk parents through the steps in creating a plan for infusing faith dynamics into the home.

Teens' Guide to Identity from FamilyLife All teens wrestle with the question "Who am I?" and wonder, What makes me special? Though these questions linger for life, they are most intense in the teen years, where confusion, awkwardness, and a desperate grab for identity reign. So how does a young person answer these critical questions? Where do young men and women find their significance, worth, and value? True Identity is perfect for parents and youth workers to give to the teenagers (14-16) in their lives to help them in their journey. Drawing on experiences and wisdom from a wide array of experts, the book provides compassionate answers to help teens discover who they really are, emphasizing their identity in Christ above all other ways our culture defines them. As the book walks teens through the steps to make their faith their own, it highlights healthy independence and God-honoring relationships. The Passport2Identity curriculum launched in April 2016, and True Identity is its trade book companion.