Called the “Internet Generation” because the Net is their primary influencer, the 4/14ers (& their older siblings) are digitally native whilst their parents are digital immigrants. The world‘s children and young people between the ages of 4 and 14, the demographic group that has the potential to transform the world for Jesus are defined more by technology. It is true that due to lack of accessibility there are still parts of the world where the Internet does not yet have a major culture-shaping role. However, with the shrinking of the “global village”, more and more young people in remote areas will become connected as underscored by Luis Bush in the ‘Modern Context of the 4/14ers’. The 4/14ers are riding a technological wave into the future. “Digital kids”, “Millennials”, “Facebookers” and “YouTubers”, they do not think twice about sharing their opinions online with strangers whom they call “friends” and are plugged in all the time with a world of communication and information at their fingertips. This creative generation wants to be heard and make a difference. Technology gives them a powerful weapon to do so!
YouTube "History of the Internet" is an animated documentary explaining the inventions from time-sharing to filesharing, from Arpanet to Internet. The history is told using the PICOL icons, which are available on picol.org. You can get news about this project on blog.picol.org .
Moreover, traditional values face unprecedented challenges in the digital world. India exemplifies the global youth culture phenomenon where the revolutionary information age is widening social distances, weakening family ties and changing the child-parent relationship. Hence, the older generation who seek to reach, parent, mould and raise the 4/14 generation must understand and accept this interconnected multicultural aspects of today‘s youth and children. We then can love, communicate, nurture and minister to them in a relevant way, helping them discover, embrace and espouse godly values even as they surf the internet. This in turn would be very significant in unleashing a revolutionary missionary and evangelistic force with far reaching impact across time and geographical boundaries. Singapore is amongst the top few nations worldwide with large numbers of internet users - more than 70% of Singaporeans are internet savvy! Nearly half of these are below 30 years of age. According to the Singapore Government Statistics as of Sept 2009, more than one third [34%] of Singapore‘s resident population is under 30 years of age with 13.4 % in the 4-14 age group and 20.6 % between 15 and 29 years. Coupled with the fact that there are approximately 100,000 international students of diverse ethnicity in our nation, there is much to do to reach, raise and release the Internet generation like polished arrows that make a mark for eternity as they see, take hold of and share the fullness of the eternal and abundant life found only in Jesus with their friends across cultural and geographical boundaries.
Do you see the wonderful opportunity in your own home, own family, own neighborhood, own environment to reach the internet generation? Do you grasp the tremendous legacy you could leave for God’s kingdom as you unleash the great potential of each of these younger ones? Are you and your church equipped and poised to do so?
Are you willing to be God’s champion of the internet generation?
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