SOCIAL MEDIA - A FORCE FOR GOOD | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2019

Author: Annsbert Dann Lewis

Intro: Annsbert Dann Lewis looks into the deepest yearnings of human heart and through this prism, offers thoughts on how social media can become a force for good.

With the wave of young adults now active on the internet, social media tends to be painted as either black or white – with some marveling at the strong advantages of its use, and others frowning upon the many dangers pertaining to it. It’s almost too easy to condemn social media as a prevalent evil. However, a closer look at the issue poses the question: is the problem really in social media itself or does the root of the weed lie elsewhere?

Social media can be used to share moments of interest from our lives, or even bring awareness to special causes. It can be a venue to support one another and derive inspiration from the accomplishments, actions, and talents of others. “Media can make an important contribution towards the growth in communion of the human family and the ethos of society when they are used to promote universal participation in the common search for what is just” (Caritas in Veritate, 73). In a culture that calls for mass media participation, the Church has in many contexts brought light to otherwise indifferent audiences using social media, from papal addresses to evangelical podcasts, to homilies and weekly biblical reflections posted online, making the Catholic teachings and opinions accessible to common man. Like Uncle Ben from Spiderman would say, “With great power comes great responsibility”.

The common conflict of interest arises from a misuse of media. When a medium, however effective, is taken out of its context, it ceases to remain a tool and becomes a distraction. Modern culture has numbed us to an unspoken technology addiction, which  we have developed from the constant “need” to be updated and informed. We tend to let our phones unseat God, encouraging a sense of idolatry, waking up and falling asleep to a text notification or a Facebook post. Communication with our loved ones and friends depreciate in value, when emotional conversations are stripped down to short text responses – an excuse to avoid physical interaction. The human relationships that we so desire, fail to be satisfied by shallow comments and likes, to which, unfortunately, our daily interactions have become limited to. As is the case with anything else, social media cannot fill the endless chasm in our hearts that was made for Christ alone. The idea of an audience puts pressure on many to paint a “perfect” image of themselves, and thus leaves them disappointed and depressed, for they have learned to define their self-worth by the number of likes or comments a post receives.

A misconception concerning the harmful impacts of social media is that, it in itself is the problem. In an attempt to tackle the overuse and addiction of social media, we have forgotten that the real obstacle is within our hearts, rather than in the media. Although addiction and technology dependence may seem to be a negative of social media usage, rather it’s a telling sign of the absence of self-control and a misplaced hunger for divine love, which is a trait that would translate to our tendencies in all situations, not just technology usage. Almost anything that can be beneficial can also be harmful when in excess, so the initiative towards making a difference in our media consumption should not be the complete removal of technology, rather a more prudent utilization in compliance with the understanding of self, and seeking to grow in the spirit and his gifts. “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.” (Luke 16:10).  

Social media is a force that encourages the exchange of experiences and interactions with people all over the world. With the amount of positivity that it can spread, it should not be avoided because of its potential risks, but rather, it should be accepted with the understanding of the precarious line between moderation and excess, and this understanding should serve as a reminder of the power of free will and the source of divine strength, that is always available for us to combat it.

Annsbert Dann Lewis is a sophomore in college pursuing a degree in music and philosophy. In his spare time, he loves to produce music and to spend time with his family in Houston, USA.