WE cannot doubt
the many benefits we can derive from the
use of the social media. It facilitates communication
which is a
necessity for all of us. We just have to know how to use
it properly,
for definitely the possibility also is high to use it
improperly.
I am always of
the belief that the new technologies we are
having now are actually posing new challenges to us, not
only in the
area of knowing their technical mechanisms and how to
take advantage
of them, but also and more importantly in the area of how
to use it
properly.
The finer
points of the spiritual and moral requirements
of their use have to be considered most especially. This
is the
greater and more important challenge actually. And I am
afraid that
this aspect of the challenge is largely ignored. We
cannot deny that
the new technologies have great potential to make us a
better person.
But they can also cause serious, undescribable harm.
Let’s not be
naïve.
At the moment,
a cursory look at the postings on Fb, for
example, simply shows all forms of self-indulgence and
blatant
flauntings of vanity, flatteries, self-glorification,
gossiping, etc.
If not these, then a lot of bashing, fault-finding and
the like also
abound. To a certain extent, the social media can be used
for
commercial purposes, but this too needs to be regulated.
Coercive
chain-letters should be stopped.
Even the
expression of opinions is done almost without
charity. Very often, unnecessary feuds and disputes erupt
over
unimportant matters. It would seem that these things are
becoming the
new normal in our culture. We have to be very careful
about this
trend. This can only lead us to greater trouble.
We need to
remind everyone to practice restraint and
moderation in the use of the social media. Everyone
should have a
clear idea of the priorities of his duties and
responsibilities and
give the appropriate time and effort there. Definitely,
for most of us
the social media should not get much of our time and
attention. For
sure, there are many other more important things to do.
Besides,
everyone should have a clear vision of what to do
there. We just cannot go to the social media to have a
fill of our
curiosities. That would be tantamount to idleness and
wasting time. Of
course, it would be good if we can have a clear idea of
how much time
to allot on the social media. We should not be there all
the time.
In this regard,
it would be advisable that our
interventions there are always positive and constructive.
We should
proclaim the “Good News” more than merely opinable
matters. Inspiring
and edifying stories and testimonies should dominate
rather than
stories that sow intrigues and invite disputes.
In other words,
everyone should have purity of intentions
and should practice extreme delicacy in expressing views
and opinions.
Given the often hasty treatment we give to the social
media, we should
be more mindful of our tendency to be reckless in our
interventions,
leading to a lot of misunderstandings.
We should be
quick to ask for forgiveness if for one
reason or another we may have offended someone there, as
well as to
forgive everyone who may also have offended us in some
way. We have to
learn to respect each other’s opinions, even if we do not
agree with
them.
We should see
to it that the social media would truly
contribute to the common good. In this regard, we have to
have some
clear criteria and standards to guide us in assessing the
true value
of this powerful means of communication.
Let’s hope that
those in the communication business can
come up with some pertinent code of ethics and spread it
around as
widely as possible. There definitely is a need for
continuing
education and formation in this area.
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