YOUTUBE VIDEO BLOGS
YouTube Video Blogs: Ministering to YouTubers
Brief
This text concerns itself with three young YouTube bloggers. Owing to the fact that I am female, all three bloggers selected were female. The said bloggers are; Baby Kaely (16 years), Lilliana Ketchman (13 years), and Elliana Walmsley (14 years). While Lilliana Ketchman is in junior high school, Baby Kaely is a high school student. For this reason, the choice of bloggers meets the specific assignment/essay standards. Combined, all three bloggers have a subscriber base of more than 5.5 million subscribers.
Discussion
Lilliana Ketchman
On her YouTube channel, Ketchman boasts of a total of 3.18 subscribers. In her profile, she is described as an aspiring actress/singer, model and dancer. It would be prudent to note that at age 13, Ketchman happens to be in her early adolescence. In this stage, one would ordinarily expect her to experience quick growth and notice a wide range of body changes. In this context, the said changes are inclusive of, but they are not limited to, breast development (Coleman 2011, 137). The said changes could trigger some level of curiosity amongst those at this stage. (Coleman 2011, 138) As the author further points out, it is also at this point that the desire for independence could be further enhanced.
In seeking to further evaluate Ketchman, we could make use of Osmers four core tasks of practical theological interpretation (Perrin 2007, 69). To begin with, when it comes to descriptive-empirical task, the all-important query to be answered would be; whats going on? In the present context, an assessment of Ketchmans blog reveals that she is keen on documenting certain aspects of her life and her passions. Examples on this front include her morning routine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHaNXuDQ2Gc), getting Starbucks without her dad knowing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dtdn2NX2yQ), and happenings during her birthday (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6buTZ0V3msQ). Her yoga prowess is also on display (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT9tr4I2iUg).
With regard to the interpretive task, the issue of greatest relevance is; why is this going on. It is important to note that given the number of subscribers that she has managed to amass over time, and the fact that her parents appear to be actively involved in the behind-the-scenes happenings, Ketchman could be in this for both enjoyment and financial...
In the present scenario, we could seek to ask ourselves what the Creators will is - with regard to the content that Ketchman shares. In my opinion, God would be pleased with Ketchmans sharing of content that in line with biblical teachings. In Micah 6:8, we are called upon to walk humbly with [our] God. Lastly, in relation to the pragmatic task, we could interrogate our response. To a large extent, our response should in this case be to mold this particular youngster and align her with Gods purpose.
Week
Week 3
Week 4
Reach out to Ketchmans parents (particularly her mother) owing to their significant involvement in her YouTube channel. Ensure that the said parents are aware of the reason and need to reach out.
Engage Ketchman on her passions...
…core tasks of practical theological interpretation, Elliana is focused on videos that elicit emotional reactions amongst viewers. The titles of some of the videos she posts are clearly meant to draw viewers in, i.e. why I had to cut off all my hair emotional reaction (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq9UOvheBjQ). From the perspective of interpretive task, Elliana appears keen on gaining popularity, relevance, and perhaps a fanatical following. On the normative task front, Elliana ought to be focusing on the more important things in life, i.e. things that have better chance of making her life more full filling. Suggestions on this front could be inclusive of;
education and better
engagements with her Creator. From a pragmatic task perspective, there would be need to guide Elliana towards the path of light and ensure that she embraces a more productive way of life.
Week
Week 3
Week 4
Explore the content that Elliana current posts and demonstrate why it does not sit in well with Gods purpose, as well as her own well-being.
Introduce Elliana to the Word of God and ensure that she is aware of its relevance in our lives.
Guide Elliana on appropriate content that would have a meaningful impact on her viewers, i.e. with regard to their spiritual growth and development. This is particularly important owing to the fact that YouTube has become a force to reckon within as far as the shaping of perspectives among young people is concerned (Valkenburg and Piotrowski 2017, 59).
Encourage Elliana to start posting content highlighted in week 3. Offer her the relevant support during…
