On the Radar: Digital Camera Renaissance, Contraceptive Use Declines and an Embrace of Weight-Loss Drugs, Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

Digital Cameras Enjoy Gen Z Renaissance

What? Gen Z has a new love affair … with old technology. Just as vinyl records have enjoyed a resurgence, so Gen Z has now decided 2000s-era digital cameras are cool again.

So What? NPR reports that these cameras’ images have a more vintage vibe that appeals to Gen Z. Some young users also say that the camera’s limited storage capacity makes them more mindful of capturing significant images. Others report feeling a sense of security that their photos aren’t as easily hackable. Finally, there’s a longing for authenticity: “There is a yearning among young people for photos that look real, especially of themselves. So there’s a feeling there that you can’t get from your cell phone camera,” says photographer Casey Fatchett.

Now What? As parents, we often find ourselves anxious when it comes to how our kids embrace new tech. But this retro trend might be encouraging.

Condom Use Down Among Teens, OnlyFans to Blame?

What? The World Health Organization has reported what it calls an “alarming decline” in the percentage of adolescents using condoms or contraceptive pills during sex, with 30% saying they use neither. The international survey found that condom usage was lower among lower-income families.

So What? Some experts believe the decline is due to less sex education and limited access to contraceptives. That said, others point to the influence of popular sex-focused sites such as OnlyFans, and pornography in general, where condom usage is often neglected. To the extent that theory is accurate, it’s just the most recent example of how behavior can be influenced by what teens see onscreen.

Now What? Cultural attitudes toward the purpose and place of sex in our lives continue to veer ever further from biblical truth. And the culture is having a conversation about sex continually. Gone are the days when parents could have a one-and-done “talk” about the birds and bees. Though it can awkward and comfortable at times, cultivating an ongoing conversation about this important subject can help them internalize a Christian worldview and reject the risky ones offered by mainstream culture.

Younger Generations Embrace New Weight Loss Drugs

What? The calendar has rolled to 2025. And many of us, including teens, are interested in getting rid of some of those extra rolls. Increasingly, weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic are a potential option. And it turns out Gen Z is among the most open to using them, with 37% reporting plans use GLP-1 medications to speed their weight loss.

So What? Perhaps driven in part by seemingly ubiquitous advertising and marketing, GLP-1 medication has hit a cultural tipping point in terms of awareness and acceptance. And while it can potentially be an option with a doctor’s oversight, many are seeking it out without a physician’s involvement. Such self-diagnosis and self-medication, especially for younger users, is potentially dangerous—especially considering the drug’s sometimes extreme side effects.

Now What? Drugs such as Ozempic may potentially promote healthy weight loss—under a doctor’s supervision. But constant marketing, combined with online stories about dramatic weight loss, may also create false or dangerous expectations for overweight adolescents looking for a fast-fix to weight-loss struggles.   

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