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I recently had, what in my experience, was a unique encounter. A young man, not a stranger though also not a close friend, politely asked my permission to take a photo of my daughter. I was initially taken back but decided to consent. I felt honored as the parent and in that instance I saw no harm in it.

My first born daughter is now 4 months old. Every day I feel like she just keeps getting more adorable. So it is no surprise to a proud dad like myself that people would want to take her photo. And that they would then take the natural step to share those photos on social media. This is the digital culture we live in today. One that shows no sign of slowing. But I have to ask the question, both to parents and the communities that surround our children, should this be the norm? Even as I write this I can't say I have come to a black & white, hard lined, stance as a parent. Maybe never will. Instead I simply wanted to bring the discussion out of my living room and into this online space.

As a parent I worry about how technology will impact my girl as she grows up (Also read Dear Internet, Please Be Kind To My Daughter). How will these hundreds, if not thousands, of images being taken of her effect her future; her view on privacy and more importantly, her self-image?

After having the above experience of being asked to have my daughter's photo taken I threw the question out on Facebook. What did people think about this? It conjured responses from many of my friends that are parents. Ones like;

I've been teaching and blogging on the topic of how we use social media for quite a few years now. So it may come as a surprise that until recently I had never seriously considered the idea of taking an extended break from it. I had only logged off for a few days here and there. That included time in places with limited or no internet access. These were helpful bursts that definitely developed good disciplines in my life. But an all out social media detox was never on the table. I had struggled to balance my strong stance on prioritizing face to face relationships with my growing calling to work in the area of social media.

2013 was a big year for me and the creative & communications team I am privileged of working alongside here at YWAM Newcastle. It took a lot of hard work and prayer through 2012 and into 2013 but the results surprised even me. Those included us seeing a 128% increase in web site traffic from 2012 to 2013 and a 342% increase in enquiries to our training schools. Though the main highlight was the start of our largest training school in our history this January. As a result we are being asked lately for what we think some of the keys to this growth have been. While this list is not extensive, I thought I would share just a few that I have been able to pick out as I look back on these past few years.

An Australian Kangaroo experience that can't be found in any zoo. This is my first time playing around with one of GoPro's templates. It was a quick and easy way to put a video together from my GoPro footage.

Dear Internet,

I am writing this post from a Starbucks in Pattaya, Thailand. Unlike most people I did not chose this Starbucks for the Mango Frappe in my hand or the comfortable chairs. I also did not chose it, like most coffee addicted college students, for it's free wifi. In fact quite surprisingly Starbucks in Thailand charges you to use wifi. If someone at their head office is reading this post would you please do something about this before my next trip? Though on this evening the lack of wifi is exactly why I am here.

The caution that marks our speech must also mark our texting, our emailing, our commenting, our blogging, & our tweeting. @Challies #socialmedia.

If you have been...

Have you ever had thousands of teenage girls turn around and look at you with absolute jealousy? This was me last year as my wife and I were being handed vip wristbands by one of Taylor Swift's dancers. As I stood leaning against the stage all I could think about was "Why couldn't I have had these seats when I saw Coldplay in the same arena a year earlier!". Though as the show went on I was impressed at this young ladies ability to entertain and connect with the crowd in front of her. This was not just your ordinary pop star.