Sermon #4: Red Flags for Predatory Mentors

The internet & subcultures are replete with “I’m your witchy dad,” “I’m your goth uncle,” “I’m your (unearned familial title geared towards emotionally vulnerable young person here)”— and while we desperately need more adults willing to step up for the younger generations, when much older adults are a little too eager to “validate” and get close to much younger people— I’m raising my eyebrow. We need to stop being afraid of judging people, and instead judge them on reasonable metrics… because not every would-be “family figure” is there to help. Here’s some red flags to keep an eye out for, from my own experience.