A recent report issued by the Surgeon General found that social media presence was “nearly universal” among adolescents. No big surprise there. However, the study also highlighted some serious dangers of social media. For example, extended social media exposure increased depression and anxiety among young people and was associated with lower self-esteem.
Of course, what’s dangerous for children and teens can be just as hazardous to their parents. As a dad, you have a responsibility to protect the members of your family from the dangers of social media. But you also need to protect yourself.
When crew members on an airplane give directions for handling emergencies, they always urge parents to take care of themselves before helping their kids. The same principle should apply when it comes to avoiding the landmines of social media.
Building a Biblical Foundation to Combat the dangers of social media
God’s Word is one of the most powerful weapons you have in your arsenal as a dad. And in the battle against the dangers and side effects of social media, it’s an important tool. After all, reading the Bible will ground you in truth—God’s truth. So, even though social media wasn’t around when God inspired the original writers of Scripture, the principles they shared still apply.
As you begin addressing social media dangers in your family, let these three verses become your load-bearing walls. They can withstand the pressure and guide you to more specific steps down the road.
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things”
Philippians 4:8
The fight against moral ambiguity on social media is really a fight for purity. Emphasize what reflects God’s character as you decide where your eyes, heart, and mind need to go.
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God”
1 Corinthians 10:31
As a Christ follower, everything in your life should laser beam toward one purpose: God’s glory. If what you or a family member sees or does on social media falls short of that standard, you need to remove it from your life.
“I will praise you because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.”
Psalm 139:14
You aren’t some accidental collection of molecules and DNA. You are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), which makes you “remarkably and wondrously made.” No other creation compares to humans—and no other human is more valuable than you in God’s eyes. Anything you find on social media that denies that basic truth is a lie.
The Dangers of Social Media
When it comes to social media dangers, being able to name the problem is a huge step in either avoiding it or finding healing from it. As you reflect on your social media use—and your family’s social media use—that’s important to remember. The truth is, social media isn’t all bad. But, like so many things, it’s safer within limits.
As you read through the potential dangers of social media below, ruthlessly evaluate where you are on each point. Identify your biggest stumbling blocks and begin asking God to help you overcome these social media dangers. Then, ask Him to give you wisdom in reaching out to your kids.
Negativity.
It’s no secret, people will say things on social media that they would never say to someone’s face. That’s the slippery slope of anonymity. Behind the wall of technology, it’s easy to forget that you’re hurting real human beings. It might be your kids’ phone, a laptop, or some other screen, but social media adds fuel to the divisive fires already plaguing our culture.
Reality.
Honestly, most people are more inclined to share their highs with the rest of the world than their lows. As a result, you might think everyone else’s life is perfect while your life is a hot mess. Remember that we all struggle, and social media only tells a small part of the story.
Temptation.
I’m old enough to remember when pornography was hidden behind the counters in gas stations and convenience stores. Now, it’s everywhere and accessible to everyone. To make matters worse, sexual temptations are only a fraction of the dangers found on social media. Greed, covetousness, and entitlement don’t seem as dangerous, but they can be just as devastating. Social media opens the door to all those temptations and more.
Time and Energy.
I’ll confess, this might be my Achilles’ heel. I spend a lot of time just surfing and swiping. In reality, time is the most valuable commodity we have in life, and we’re called to be faithful stewards of the time God gives us. One danger of social media is squandering this precious resource.
Relationships.
In a mad pursuit to keep “friends,” collect “likes,” and extend “streaks,” we forget that God created us to live in fellowship with real people in the real world. Virtual relationships have their place, but we can’t drop the ball on investing in face-to-face relationships. Nurture connections with family and friends. They’re the ones who will cry with you when you’re hurting and pray with you when your world is falling apart.
Testimony.
In a previous job, my leaders really emphasized “personal brand.” That’s the lasting impression you make on people, whether positive or negative. For believers, the ultimate expression of your personal brand is your testimony. And all it takes is one sketchy post to ruin your reputation and damage your right to be heard. Social media is also notorious for relegating genuine faith to a pithy saying or a harsh quotation, which rarely helps anyone.
In Christ.
I mentioned earlier that we are all created in the image of God, and we are precious to Him. But the slings and arrows of social media dangers can take our eyes off that truth. We begin to believe what the “crowd” says about us instead of standing firm in what Jesus says about us. That causes anxiety and some of the other mental health concerns raised by the Surgeon General’s report.
Take the Steps that Matter
As I said, social media is not all bad. Yes, social media dangers are real, and you need to be alert. But these platforms also have a ton of benefits, like connecting with friends in other places and sharing meaningful thoughts about faith. So, while the statements above sound like universal negatives, they really just highlight the potential dangers of social media.
Plus, along with meditating on Scripture, you can take a couple of easy steps to prevent social media headaches. First, set reasonable limits—both in where you go and how long you stay there. As a family, determine how far is too far and commit to honoring the boundaries.
Second, be accountable to someone you trust. As a husband and father (or even as a single adult or teen), find a mentor who isn’t afraid to ask tough questions and call you out when you step over the line. Since you’ll probably hold your kids accountable yourself, they need to know you are accountable to someone else as well.
The dangers of social media are real, but you can avoid the chaos in your family. With God’s help, you can make sure social media remains a blessing, not a curse.
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