Session 2 – Carlo & the Internet

Exploring phones, games and social media through the eyes of a teenage saint who loved tech – and refused to be ruled by it.

60 minutes • Youth room / classroomFocus: moderation, freedom, digital discipleship

Session overview

This session helps teens see that Carlo understood their world of screens and games – and shows them a path to use technology with freedom and purpose, not guilt or fear.

Key Carlo quote

“We are all born as originals, but many die as photocopies.”

Scripture

Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do… do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Suggested 60 minute outline

1. Screen-time check-in (10 minutes)

  • Quick show of hands / anonymous poll: “How many hours on screens yesterday?”
  • Light humour allowed, but avoid shaming – just surface reality.

2. Carlo and tech story (10 minutes)

  • Share how Carlo:
    • Enjoyed games like Mario, Pokémon, Halo.
    • Chose to limit gaming to 1 hour a week after seeing others get addicted.
    • Used code and web design to build sites for his parish and Eucharistic miracles.

3. Scripture & short reflection (10 minutes)

  • Read Colossians 3:17.
  • Ask: “What would it mean to scroll, post, watch and play ‘in the name of Jesus’?”
  • 2–3 minute mini-talk on vocation in the digital world.

4. Group activity – pro / con charts (15 minutes)

  • In groups, give them paper divided into “Good things tech does” and “Ways tech hurts”.
  • Let them fill both honestly – mental health, friendship, bullying, learning, faith.
  • Each group shares one “pro” and one “con” back to the room.

5. Personal challenge & prayer (15 minutes)

  • Give 1–2 minutes of silence: “Ask Jesus and Carlo: what’s one small digital change You’re asking of me?”
  • They write down one concrete challenge (e.g. no phone at meals, no screens after 10pm, 10 minutes of prayer before gaming).
  • Closing prayer entrusting their phones, games and feeds to Jesus through Carlo.

Discussion questions

  • When does tech help your faith? When does it hurt it?
  • Have you ever noticed a difference in your mood after a long scrolling or gaming session?
  • What do you find admirable (or challenging) about Carlo’s one-hour gaming limit?
  • If you used your phone 10% more for good this week, what would that look like?
  • Where do you feel most “not free” with technology right now? What might Jesus want to do there?