No other time in our culture’s history has our past remained a part of our present like it does today with social-media. Social media is just one way of networking. Almost everyone, young or old is connected via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkeldn etc. Social media has allowed us to interact with far more people than we would otherwise be able to. Certainly the world has become a smaller sphere since this is possible.
While social networking has its advantages when families from faraway lands are thoroughly informed about the lives of their loved ones. It creates business opportunities where goods and services are being advertized in powerful search engines for job seekers. It can also leverage political power for organizations that might not have access otherwise and it does counteract terrorism and organized crimes. It fosters support from friends and people with difficult issues in the shortest time. However, though there is the good side of social media, we have to consider its dark side.
Many people have used social media for character assassination, unfairly bringing down a good fellowman’s reputation through cyber bullying. Social media has become such a convenient outlet where pictures and phrases on the wall take the place of personal interaction rather than phone calls and face to face conversations. It takes time away from important obligations and activities, where people are immersed deep in net chatting. Young people who are hooked on social media have become socially inadequate and lost the art of communication and etiquette.
With such pros and cons, it is our social responsibility to exercise wisdom in managing the use of social media. Being responsible enforces the discipline of being accountable, liable and bound to whatever we do. When a negative blog, is blasted in the net, someone will get hurt, especially if it is untrue. The Bible teaches us in Philippians 4:8 to fix our thoughts on what is true, honourabe, right, pure, love and admirable. When we practice doing these things, we will experience God’s peace in our lives. When we promote issues that stir up strife, intrigues and animosity in our blogs, we are advocating dissentions, envy and hatred. The stewardship of the social network is in our hands either for destruction or well being. It is our corporate, moral and social responsibility to nurture encouragement and support for one another when conversing on the social media. The social network is a powerful tool. Let us use it responsibly and wisely, for the common good of mankind.