Thursday, 16 February 2012 10:34

By Tracy Winslow
There are over 400 million active users of Facebook, 175 million users of Twitter, and 490 million unique users every month visit YouTube. Social media has changed the way we communicate – a shift that rivals the invention of the printing press.
Communication is seen as a gift of God, but the Second Vatican Council cautioned the faithful to “distinguish earthly progress clearly from the increase of the kingdom of Christ.” It said “such progress is of vital concern to the kingdom of God, insofar as it can contribute to the better ordering of human society.”
In an era of instant communication, the Catholic Church has taken a fundamentally positive approach to social media. In the January 2012 message from Pope Benedict XVI as part of the church’s preparation for its 46th World Day of Social Communications, the pope said that the endless conversation online “demonstrates the restlessness of human beings, ceaselessly searching for truths, of greater or lesser import that can offer meaning and hope to their lives.”
In a previous message Pope Benedict gave social networking his blessing, but warned that it cannot replace real human contact. The pontiff encouraged social networkers to be open and honest in their communications, and to not confuse online friendships with deeper, lasting ones, “It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.”
Parents: warn, teach your children well
In the fast-paced, technological, sound bite world we live in, it is difficult for adults to keep up with the latest trends. But we are called to be faithful to the teachings and values of the Catholic Church and maintain the human dignity of each human person. To do so we must educate ourselves and our children. Parents especially as the first and most important educators of their children must constantly monitor, supervise and teach their children the “netiquette” of social media and the dangers as well.
The Pontifical Council for Social Communication’s said we are at “an age in which media are seen to be part of a still unfolding culture whose full implications are as yet imperfectly understood.”
The virtual reality of social media is no substitute for the real flesh and blood human community. While the virtual reality of cyberspace has some worrisome implications, we must learn how to use the internet safely and utilize the benefits to further God’s kingdom on earth. It is up to us to make the benefits outweigh the challenges.
“May Catholics involved in the world of social communications preach the truth of Jesus ever more boldly from the housetops, so that all men and women may hear about the love which is the heart of God’s self communication in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today and forever,” the council stated.