Social Media
There is no doubt that social media has become an integral part of life, especially for young people. These platforms certainly offer opportunities to connect, to build communities and to share news. However, over the last couple of weeks, the noxious effects of social media have been to the fore.
Christine Bryant
Firstly, Otago University published the results of a survey on the intimidating and humiliating posts to which women elected to public office are subjected. Female MPs, mayors and councillors are likely receive hate mail threatening violence, even rape and murder, because of statements they make as a function of their office. Such attacks not only endanger them, but they also send a chilling message to young women which may well deter them from seeking office or speaking out against injustice.
Secondly, Benjamin Doyle, a list MP for the Green Party, has recently been the target of a campaign of vitriolic mail. They describe their action in maintaining a dubious social media account as ‘politically naïve. On the contrary, the fact that they, as an inexperienced MP, ignored the wise advice of their leaders to take down the account shows how foolish, even reckless this action was, given that it also involved their child. That in no way excuses the hate mail but underscores the care one needs to take online.
Lastly, Netflix is currently showing Adolescence in New Zealand. All the reviews say this drama is a very powerful depiction of the negative influence which social media can have on susceptible young minds. In the drama, the outcome of such harmful influences is nothing short of tragic.
Social media allows the writer to be anonymous and distant from the addressee so they may use language which they would never use face-to-face. It is easier to be abusive and ignore sensitivities because they don’t see the consequences of their words. It makes one wonder whether healthy disagreement is still possible. Can one criticise with logic? What does robust, but respectful debate look like now?
I believe St Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a clear idea of how to behave on social media. In writing about the nature of Christian love and relationships, he tells us what attitudes are acceptable: Love [or criticism or debate] is patient, kind and envies no one; [it] is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude, never selfish, not quick to take offence. It keeps no score of wrongs and does not gloat over the sins of others…
Social media trolls are often impatient, quick to overreact, arrogant and intolerant; they constantly look for shortcomings in public figures, so they may exploit them. This is not God’s way. As we come to Easter, Christians celebrate that Jesus died for our sins and that out of love for all humankind, God raised him from the dead.
It is not necessary to be so vile on social media. I, for one, hold out hope that we may yet move to a time when we can disagree, criticise or debate robustly, but with love and respect.
