Friday, May 8, 2026

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today’s edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the effectiveness of cell phone bans in schools, YouTube in classrooms, the GUARD Act, Amsterdam’s ban on meat advertising for climate change, praying for a child’s salvation in view of God’s sovereignty, the big problem with a falling birth rate, meeting historical figures, the 10 Commandments and religious freedom, and if A.I. chatbots can become possessed by demonic forces.Part I (00:13 – 06:41)Cell Phone Bans in Schools, Do They Work? New Study Shows Positive Trends in Many Important CategoriesDid School Cellphone Bans Work? New Study Finds Mixed Results. by The New York Times (Dana Goldstein)Part II (06:41 – 11:02)YouTube is Taking Over Classrooms: The Concerning Amount of Social Media Finding Its Way into School CurriculaHow YouTube Took Over the American Classroom by The Wall Street Journal (Shalini Ramachandran)Part III (11:02 – 12:51)Guard Children From A.I. Chatbots: Senator Joshua Hawley’s GUARD Act Receives Unanimous Committee Vote — Now Will Both Houses of Congress Vote to Protect Children?Senator Hawley’s GUARD Act to Protect Kids from AI Chatbots Passes Committee Unanimously by U.S. Senator for Missouri (Senator Josh Hawley)Part IV (12:51 – 14:52)Amsterdam Bans Advertising Meat for Climate Change: The Left’s Cultural Insanity is Strong on Both Sides of the AtlanticThis ban on advertising meat is the nanny state at its silliest by The Washington Post (The Editorial Board)Part V (14:52 – 18:25)How Do I Pray for My Children and Encourage Them to Faith When the Bible Puts Forth Such a Big View of God’s Sovereignty? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingPart VI (18:25 – 21:15)What is the Big Problem with the Falling Birth Rate? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingPart VII (21:15 – 22:50)If You Could Meet One Historical Figure, Who Would It Be and Why? — Dr. Mohler Responds to a Letter From a 13-Year-Old Listener of The BriefingPart VIII (22:50 – 24:30)Why Does Posting the 10 Commandments Not Violate the Religious Freedom of an Atheist Teacher? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingPart IX (24:30 – 26:09)Can Chatbots Become Possessed by Demonic Forces? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners of The BriefingSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.