What is a Media Fast?
A Media Fast consists of abstaining from all electronic entertainment for a specified period of time. We recommend that your students fast for at least 48 hours — the more time they can commit, the better!
Electronic entertainment consists of listening to music, watching TV, playing video games, talking on the cell phone and texting, surfing the Internet, using social media sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and downloading music. We encourage students to abstain from these forms of media entertainment for the entire fast.
- "What about doing my homework on the computer?"
- "What if someone calls me on my cell phone?"
- "What if my sister wants to listen to music in the car?"
Your students may come up with some interesting questions and scenarios where they can’t "avoid" using electronics! The goal of the Media Fast is for students to abstain from the electronic entertainment that so often dominates much of their time. By fasting for at least 48 hours, your students will open their eyes to the potential and time that they can give of themselves to help others around them.
We strongly encourage everyone in your youth group to participate in the Media Fast — including the youth leaders! You can also encourage your students’ parents and siblings to participate — giving entire families a chance to make a significant impact in their community.