Social Media: Then vs. Now

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As someone who is old enough to remember the days when social media came in the form of Bop or Tiger magazines, notes passed in class that were folded up like footballs with an "open here" tab, or bathroom chatter between class changes yet who is still young enough to enjoy short doses of social media on most days, I see similarities and differences between then and now with the primary difference being that the similarities are more exaggerated today. Technology has vastly increased data access through social media, so the amount of deception being communicated has also increased..exponentially. Yet, pop culture seems to be less discerning now that we need it most than we were then.

People have always pretended to be something they are not to gain popularity, but modern social media with all the photo editing software takes the pretense to a greater extreme. Back in my teens, people would say really mean things behind my back that they would never say to my face. Now, we hide behind screens while venting the full extent of our rawest emotions, unleashing our fiery tongues while completely unhindered by face-to-face interactions which soften and/or penetrate the heart.

Popularity back then was sadly defined by number of friends, party invitations, and votes for homecoming queen. Now we have reduced popularity to number of "like" clicks. Instead of spending 18 years gathering a half dozen close friends and name recognition across one's school, church, or town, someone can gain thousands of social media friends whom they've never met and a 100,000 likes within a few minutes by simply posting a fake, provocative picture or tweeting something vile for shock effect. (Shout out to Miley Cyrus!)

The more technology we own and use, the more vulnerable we become, choosing what is shallow and defiled as a means of seeking the wrong kind of attention instead of choosing substance, depth, and integrity as a way of seeking meaningful relationships characterized by selfless love, service, and sacrifice which bear fruit that lasts forever.

It has been noted that Hitler had millions of followers whom he brainwashed to slaughter the innocent out of loyalty to him while Jesus only had 12 primary followers during his earthly ministry whom he taught by example to love God and others sacrificially.

Before we post an Instagram pic or a status update, share a meme or tweet on Twitter, let us consider our motives. Would we rather compromise our character to gain fickle, shallow followers, or would we rather share encouragement (in the form of giggles or spiritual wisdom), eternal truths, and authenticity?

Romans 9:1

  I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—