In order to use social media appropriately, it is important for Christians to remember the specific dangers that attend using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube and Twitter (now called X). Here are several dangers of social media to be aware of:
1. Social media encourages an inflated sense of self-importance. This is in contrast to Paul’s teaching: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).
2. Social media fosters a compulsion to share thoughts that are better left unsaid. Facebook even asks, What’s on your mind? This is in contrast to Scripture, which says, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23). Most of the time it is better not to speak.
3. Social media encourages a party spirit within the culture and church rather than a gracious openness toward others. In a social media environment, it is hard not to be guilty by association in some form. Constantly thinking in an us versus them paradigm is damaging to the human psyche.
4. Social media fosters a critical spirit against fellow Christians in contrast to Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:2). It is just too easy to have an evil eye towards other Christians because of the way they celebrate holidays, how many vacations they take, or what they do or do not post about.
5. Social media makes the parading of ecclesiastical issues in a public forum easy. Instead of recourse taken in person or through ecclesiastical channels (Matthew 18:15-20), too often church grievances are aired like dirty laundry in public where unbelievers can see them. Paul has something to say about this (1 Corinthians 6:1-8).
6. Social media encourages an environment of being quick to speak and slow to listen, in contrast to the Bible’s prescription: “Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). It is hard to have a good discussion on matters of substance when people are not intentionally listening well.
7. Social media shapes every message we relay. Facebook and Instagram are fit especially for visual media, which is why pictures and videos generally get more likes than other posts. Adding a picture attracts the eye, so we feel compelled to do it. This creates a path where wanting or getting attention can easily become the end all and the be all of the post.
8. Social media promotes the dehumanization of people created in God’s image. We can easily forget that “memed” people are real people. People in the videos we watch are real people. The things we write on posts about people are about real people.
9. Social media easily devolves into a platform for performing my “righteous deeds” before men in contrast to the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 6:1). Open-air preachers feel the necessity of letting everyone know about the work they are doing for the kingdom by posting a video. Sidewalk protesters in front of Planned Parenthood record and post videos to attract attention to the work they are doing. Should Christians post a picture of their Bible and coffee to show they are doing personal devotions?
10. Social media creates an environment in which you can “hide” and “spy” on others, behavior that we would never practice in public. We would never walk up to someone’s house and peek through their windows, but we will anonymously look at someone’s Facebook page to see what they are up to or what they have been doing or talking about lately.
11. Social media is a breeding ground for jealousy, discontentment, and envy. When we see other people who are better looking making more money and driving nicer cars and going on fancy vacations, it is easy to covet their lifestyle rather than thanking God for the daily blessings he has given to us.
12. On social media, the forbidden woman whose lips drip honey (Proverbs 5:3) comes to you, messages you, and asks you to be friends. This seduction is spiritually dangerous. Social media creates a space for looking at things I should not see, stumble across things I should not stumble across, hear things I should not hear—and all with the foolish promise of secret anonymity. But the Lord searches the heart and tests the mind (Jeremiah 17:10). Nothing is hidden from him (Hebrews 4:13).
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