Social media made our life easier through convenience. News, communication, and entertainment are now available to anyone who can go online. However, there are also dangers of social media that people choose to overlook. Everyone, especially Christians, must know the dangers of social media to avoid the consequences.
I’m not saying that we should stop using social media. I’m making the point that we should control social media and not let social media control us.
Dangers of social media: It promotes selfish gratification.
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:1-2
The word selfie was first used in 2002. Since mobile phones started to have cameras, people couldn’t stop the urge to take photos of themselves. Taking excessive selfies is not listed as a mental disorder. However, it is often associated with common mental illnesses such as narcissism, low self-esteem, loneliness, self-centeredness, and attention-seeking behaviors.
Moreover, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, selfies have changed people’s perceptions of their faces to the point where they increased the demand for plastic surgery. In other words, excessive taking of selfies has resulted in poor body image.
Social media has also fueled the covetousness of people. We covet the things that others post on social media. And it ultimately results in unrealistic expectations. Because of others’ posts on social media, some people develop unrealistic expectations about themselves. And when they realize that they cannot achieve it, they become depressed.
Dangers of social media: It perverts the standards of our generation.
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:1-2
Excessive use of social media is why many young people don’t finish the tasks that their parents gave them. In many cases, they deliberately disobey their parents just for the sake of using social media.
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Timothy 3:3
The youth nowadays are more concerned about people liking their posts on social media than helping others. In New York, a teenager died after being stabbed. The police were baffled by the situation since 50-70 people were in that location during the stabbing. However, instead of helping the dying teenager, they chose to take videos of him with their phone while he was dying. No one even bothered to call for help.
One of the dangers of social media is online bullying through false accusations. It is alarming to think how easily someone can take a picture, post it on social media and create false accusations about anyone online.
The irony is that social media makes people anti-social.
Dangers of social media: It profanes the sanctity of God.
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2 Timothy 3:3
Nowadays, many people are exposed to pornography without going to pornographic websites. There are so many lewd and inappropriate videos that you can find on social media. No wonder there are more people nowadays who are impure in their thinking. That’s why Christians need to be mindful of what we are watching, particularly on the internet.
There are many Christians who spend more time on meaningless things than on the things of God. More time for social media but no time to read the Bible. Often sadness, loneliness, and even problems will draw us to God. Instead of praying to the Lord or reading the Bible, Christians would open their social media accounts to distract their situations.
In reality, we are aware of the dangers of social media. However, we choose to ignore it.
