FaceBook - the bright and shining star of the social media world. The rise to fame and the way it essentially cornered the market has been chronicled in books and even a movie. It is used to connect with lost friends, share information within a family or small community, promote a business or event, play games, connect students and teachers, researchers and subjects, promote revolution, organize boycotts, improve self-esteem (recent study) and countless other uses. The number of people who have FaceBook accounts (or even more than one account) has grown explosively. It is touted by companies, radio and TV, celebrities and even the government. In spite of all the security issues, it still remains the number one social networking site in the world.
Yet for the last year or so, we have heard a few, quiet murmurs from the Christian community questioning the value of FaceBook - or at least attempting to raise awareness of the risks. Now the (more or less) mainstream media has caught wind of the impact of FaceBook on the American marriage. In a recent article, divorce lawyers reported that about 20% of all divorces now include some negative impact from FaceBook (full article HERE). Social media have made the process of having an affair ridiculously easy. Now we can find and hook-up with old flames, former friends and total strangers all without ever leaving our keyboards.
No longer do we have to cultivate an intimate friendship at work, the gym or the grocery store. We can find people that share most (or all) of our pet interests with the click of a mouse. We can share intimate details of our lives, pictures and fantasies without the risk of someone seeing us at the local coffee shop.
And yet with all of that, there are still churches that promote FaceBook as a way to connect, stay in touch and disseminate information. It is ironic that these same churches would never consider putting up fliers at the local bar, liquor store strip club. When will we learn that technology is not the answer to every question?
