POST 37: Belonging in a Digital World
POST 37
Belonging in a Digital World
Like most of his peers, twelfth grader Michael spends a few hours a day on Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and text messaging. But he worries about the downside of technology: “I feel like our security is in technology. You don’t want to talk to people, so you just text them or something like that. I just feel like we have lost a sense of having a real relationship with people around us and having face-to-face conversations.”
Another teenager, Arthur, describes the complicated advantages and disadvantages of technology: “Social media and texting help me talk with my friends and get closer to them. But social media also helps people badmouth others, which people have done to me. So I cut off my social contact with those people. So yeah, for me, it goes both ways. I agree that it can do good, but it can potentially also do bad.”
When social media is used for enhancing relationships, it can become a useful tool for reducing loneliness. Staying in touch with friends through social media can increase our connections.
But the opposite also happens. When social media is used as an escape from interacting in person with others, we lose out. It can become easy to “hide in plain sight” on devices to protect ourselves from rejection, but hiding comes at the cost of increasing loneliness.
Social media, like most things in life, has the power of good and evil. While there may be pitfalls in the digital world, there can also be great opportunities for connection.
Navigating Our Digital World
Each of us can think through how we want to interact on social media, gaming, and other virtual spaces. Setting boundaries and establishing ground rules before logging in can be helpful. Here are some ideas:
Instead of engaging with the virtual world carelessly, take the time to truly understand what you’re looking for.
While the Bible may not speak directly to social media and the internet, it has plenty to say about how we interact with one another and the impact of what we consume. We can foster belonging and true connection wherever and however we’re with others.
READING GOD’S WORD
Therefore, as God’s choice, holy and loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. The peace of Christ must control your hearts—a peace into which you were called in one body. And be thankful people. The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and warn each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Whatever you do, whether in speech or action, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12–17)
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Journaling Questions
What are your favorite and least favorite social things to do on digital devices? What do you get out of that time?
Have you been able to make new or deeper connections in the digital world? What is special about those connections?
What’s one way you can be wise in navigating the online world?
Pray This Prayer
God, thank you for the many ways you help us find connections in our world. Help me to be wise in the ways I interact online, and help me to use social media for good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Take an audit of your online life by asking: How much time do I spend on which devices, platforms, and games? What do I do online? Whom do I connect with? How do I feel when I log off?
Once you complete your review, write down a few guidelines you’d like to set for how and with whom you will interact in the digital world.
THE TAKEAWAY
The digital world can be a great space for connection, but it can also be complicated and painful. Think wisely about how you want to show up in virtual spaces.