Thursday, January 7, 2010

Is there anything wrong with Facebook and Social Media?

I would really like your input about Facebook. Are you on Facebook, myspace, twitter, etc? How much time do you spend on those activities? Here is my dilemna. First, of all most of these sites people are extremely focused on self and share that with everyone else. Secondly, as a therapist I am seeing an explosion of Facebook affairs. People getting connected with their highschool sweethearts again and leaving their families. Now on the flip side. I enjoy staying connected with my nieces who live in another state. Also, friends that live in other states. I just think there is a danger with Facebook. Also, do you use Facebook, etc. to share Christ with others? I think as with anything we need to watch how we spend our time and does it glorify God. I'm interested to hear what you think.

14 comments:

ALBeekley said...

I use Facebook to keep up-to-date with Christian groups, both local and national. In addition, our church, which has a large college student population, uses Facebook to post invitations and share news with members. I'll also use my status updates to post encouraging words or pieces of scripture.

Of course there is danger, and a lot of people who use social media for very un-Christian purposes. It can be a mission field just like any other though.

Unknown said...

Yes, Facebook is a very selfish mode of communication. But it also allows you to coorespond with friends and family you might not see often. It's easy to get caught up in it and spend too much time on it. I think it can be a great tool for communication if used in moderation!

Ingrid said...

Facebook is just a reflection of the person. The posts can be self-centered, but they don't have to be. If someone uses it to start an affair, the problem is inside of them, not the computer. I have gotten in contact with long-lost friends and also relatives I've never had a relationship with before. I love keeping up to date with distant family members and chatting real-time with missionaries. I've also made friendships with people of similar interests. Facebook has super potential for good or bad.

Deb said...

I so totally agree with Ingrid. It's all about the attitude of the user not the group as a whole. My husband and I both have Facebook accounts (and we know each other's user id and password). Since we grew up in different parts of the country and now live in halfway between each, it's nice to catch-up with friends and family. It also helps with keeping the long distance calls to once a week instead of every other day with the parents. :)

Ellie said...

I LOVE facebook, however one of my new years goals this year is to limit my time on there, as it can be a huge time waster, as I spend time on there instead of what I should be doing. My time is very valuable, and I think that facebook is great, but in moderation. I think that we just need to use it in moderation. Another thing that can become rampant through facebook is feuds or gossip as it is easier to say things over the web instead of in person. I have personally see how this can happen, and feel that it is a great tool, but we must be aware of the problems that can come with it as well.

Catrin said...

Just like any tool; be careful how you use it! :)

Unknown said...

It can be great to catch up with friends from your past but it can also be a trap for loneliness. It can be tempting to try to replace true social connections for exhausted working mommas. It can also be uplifting when you are too tired to leave the house but get an encouraging word from a friend. Facebook is definitely a delicate balance. Tuning into God's purpose for your time is most important. Internet addiction can be a serious affliction though. My dear mom suffers from this on a virtual reality site. It is very hurtful to our family right now as she struggles through this. As stated above, it can be used to Glorify God and can be used destructively.

Jon and Janell said...

I agree with many things that have been said. I am trying to control my time on it since it is a time-waster as you peer into other people's lives(pictures). I am a leader for high school girls and also have my daughters's friends all as my friends. It is a good way to keep track of my kids friends and their character. It is amazing though what some kids will post and they must forget that adults are seeing it. It requires lots of discussion with my daughters though since I think it can really lead to jealousy issues as girls watch what their friends are doing with other friends.
So yes, there is good and bad in Facebook.

Coach Kimberly said...

Lots of very good points. I guess with all things as a Christian it is a heart issue. Do we let it steal away our time from God. Also, as Janell said if your children are on Facebook make sure you are their friend so you have access. Thanks so much to all of your for commenting.

thewife said...

I was actually thinking it would be a good idea to start a group for Christian Working Moms on Facebook. :-)

Coach Kimberly said...

Hi thewife,

We do have a Christian Working Moms group on Facebook. You can just type in Christian Working Mom. Unfortunately, I don't post often due to other duties with CWM. Feel free to come visit and maybe start a discussion.

thewife said...

Coach Kimberly, I think my searching abilities must be failing me this weekend! I did find two Christian Working Mom groups now. One says it is based on your bible study, but neither of them list you as an admin. I don't join many groups, but I joined them both b/c I figure I can use all of the support I can get! :-)Thanks.

Sarah said...

I use FB but really not very often. Both my husband and I are on there. We play games against one another and leave comments for one another. We have made sure that each of us has all the passwords to the others email, FB, websites, etc that we frequent. No secrets here. :) I have had a friend who's husband had an affair, it didn't start on FB but it certainly did not help. I think due to many of our friends having been in similar situations we are very aware of the risks and openly talk about them and how to safeguard ourselves constantly. I don't go on there as much as I use to and I really don't use it to talk to anyone, other than my MOPS friends, but I do enjoy looking at former classmates pages, seeing their kids and what they're up to now, I just rarely talk to them other than to may be reply to a status post or something and that's pretty rare. 99% of my friends on there are Christians already, so no need to really use it as a witnessing tool.

Anonymous said...

Facebook and myspace used in moderation are fine. just like tv then cable was once thought to be a danger. Pornography is an abuse of the that social media but it does not negate tv/cable. just use it moderation and it will be fine