We received a free product for the purpose of writing this review. Our family only reviews items that we actually find valuable and are able to be 100% honest about regarding our experience. We received no monetary compensation for our opinion. Links contained in this post may direct to affiliate sites.
As you may have guessed, we discuss the world here. The good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful… we talk about it. Just as governments issue passports to allow you to immerse yourself physically in the happenings of other places, we believe that keeping up with news from beyond your backyard allows for a similar broadening of the mind. 
We start small, weaving trending tidbits from around the globe into our daily learning. (“Hey, while we’re talking about the Pilgrims leaving England, guess what? The other day in London…”) By the time our children are middle schoolers, we’re digging deeper into topics as they arise, and helping them filter life through the lens of a Christian worldview. As teens, we assign twice-weekly “Current Events” readings from reliable sources, and expect feedback either in written form or at the dinner table. (Believe it or not, the table discussion is the more rigorous route, so we often have kids who opt for the written essay.) 
As our children grow, we’ve found that it’s become more and more difficult to find reliable, high quality outlets from which to cull articles. So much of what passes for “news coverage” today is anything but, and frankly, the quality of writing in most publications makes me want to bulk order old school AP style guides and mail them out anonymously to grammar heathens everywhere. I’m not even touching the worldview issue here; we’ve pretty much given up on Christian outlets and just do that part ourselves. 
This is why I was intrigued by the opportunity to review an issue of WORLD News Group‘s WORLDteen magazine; the possibility of a publication that I could comfortably hand to my sons and say, “pick anything,” was a seductive option standing alongside the time I currently spend selecting and vetting articles from other sources. 
We were given digital access to a review copy (click here for your own free digital copy), as well as to the accompanying website. The issue is hefty, well produced, and covers a multitude of topics. Curious to see how it would be received by its target audience, we asked 13 year-old Jack for his thoughts:
I believe that WORLDteen is a good magazine that could use a little improvement. The writing style is good and is easy to understand. The stories also stayed on topic, but I would add more quotes from scientists and other professionals on the subjects. I would add some other types of stories, maybe some stories on current politics. There could be a story on what the Pope’s last speech was, or on what Donald Trump’s new platform is. But I do like how it brings everything back to faith and what the Bible says about it and how most stories start with a Bible verse. I liked the website I found it easy to navigate and find what I wanted and everything told me what it was about.
Honestly, I wasn’t surprised by Jack’s take. WORLDteen offers a smorgasbörd of topics, giving you a full menu of jumping off points. But the magazine doesn’t follow through with the depth we require of our thinkers, so he felt it was a shortcoming of the publication itself. I’m not so sure. I see the entire package as being less intimidating, more inviting, and therefore more approachable to your average teen reader than something with the intellectual heft of a Pulitzer Prize winning piece of investigative journalism. This is a magazine designed to lure kids in, inform, and start the process of asking the deeper questions. There’s a huge need for this is the Christian community. 
And please, don’t overlook Jack’s last thought. That accompanying website subscription is, in my opinion, the real product here. Trending news, video, searchable topics, and more make this a resource worth having in your pocket. Jack and I both found the content engaging and fresh, and enjoyed the rabbit trails we were able to follow. This site is top notch, and you’ll use it often. All in all, I’d say that WORLDteen is a solid addition to the Christian publishing genre. Its focus on teens gives it a unique edge and its ability to frame news with a Christian worldview makes it a valuable tool for homeschoolers looking to strengthen their children’s understanding of the world. An annual print subscription to WORLDteen and its website is $35.88, but there’s currently a 15% discount applied. (No code needed!) World News Group Giveaway! Enter below to win these awesome prizes valued at over $100!
- One Year Membership to the WNG magazine of your choice ($35.88 value)
- Preschool Bible Study Book: Kevin Tries on the Spiritual Armor
- Elementary Word Study Book: Adventures in Etymology
- Inspiration for Christian Teens: Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are
- Three $20 Crossway Gift Cards