I post a lot. I have
statuses and tweets and pin boards and pictures that the whole world needs to
see. Now. Most of the time it’s updates
about my children, prayer requests, frustrations I have with sporting events,
funny comments about a show that the world seems tuned in to or to say Happy
Birthday! I like to read funny things kid’s
say, how cute they look in their Easter clothes and their first day of
school. I like to keep up with my
Brother’s family in a different state. I
like to post real life happenings so that I hopefully encourage another young mom
with the hope that while life is hard; it’s so good and rewarding and can
contain humor. I don’t like to post political thoughts because honestly, I don’t
know enough to talk eloquently about it. They are my family and friends. I care.
However, along with the constant updates and the goings-on
in my friend’s lives, comes a responsibility from them and from me.
1.
The first thing we must remember is that social media
allows people to post their beliefs and opinions. By understanding this concept
it really allows you to see who you are friends with. Are they a true friend or are they just acquaintances?
Yes, you can have opinions, but you can offer your opinion without being brash.
2.
The second thing we should remember is that your
friends may not feel or understand the “post responsibly” mandate. So is that
their problem, or yours?
3.
The third thing, social media is optional. No one forces us to open an account, comment
or re-tweet something.
**Warning – opinion time** First, allow me to talk about
parents monitoring their children’s accounts. I know friends that were asked the question, “do
you check your child’s phone or social media” and they have answered, “why,
should I?” WHAT??? I have heard parents say “my child won’t
friend me.” WHAT??? This just blows me
away. Since when is this ok? They are minors…we have every right and a
responsibility to them to examine their online quests. There aren’t many parents (that I know) that
would allow their child to sit at the computer and watch pornography. Unwise and
unchecked social media can be the equivalent.
Pictures are out there – and some are probably their friends that post
pictures! On another note, how innocent
is the ITunes store? You may think,
Paige – it’s just music what’s so bad about that? Well, you can get books and movies through
ITunes and did you know that you can search for “sex” or “girls” and find
pictures on the fronts of books? You can
then snap shot those to your phone or Ipod. Yes, I have seen it all! Kids are
smart, creative, and hormone driven. If there
is a way, they will find it and test the waters.
Secondly, I teach 6th grade girls every Sunday. Social media might be an outlet in which I
communicate and connect with them throughout the week. FYI, I don’t, but I’m setting up an
example. By setting this up, I take on
the responsibility for what they read. So if I get riled up during the week and
curse on a post…that act alone negates everything I have told them up to
this point. Let me be real clear – I don’t
curse and I don’t allow it in my home. I
don’t see the need for it and I have too much respect for those around me.
Third, I have never consumed alcohol. I know, touchy
subject. Again, I don’t see the need for
it and I believe it changes who you are.
But, my point is that I will see people post pictures with a beer bottle
in their hands or a full wine glass filled sitting before them at a dinner
table. It just, very simply, makes me
not want to listen to their teaching on Sunday because of my own beliefs on the
subject. I want my teachers, Pastor,
deacons, preschool teachers to be above reproach, so I set that standard for myself. I know the Bible technically doesn’t say don’t
drink it says don’t be drunk. I just
think it’s a slippery slope. One that I choose not to participate in. I feel that’s the same as…me: “Bryson, why
did you write on that wall?” Bryson: “well, (technically), you didn’t tell me I
couldn’t.”
You may at this time be asking, Paige, so are you telling me
social media is my responsibility or my friends’ responsibility? YES! That’s
what I’m saying. It’s ultimately your
responsibility as to what you choose to post and who you friend, but it’s also
your responsibility to hold those friends accountable about what they post. Yes, this is hard. Life is hard, but we have a God-given
responsibility. You can’t be the victim
in social media because you choose to put yourself out there. I posted a
sporting picture not too long ago. I
thought it was the funniest picture. But
right after I did, I noticed something in the picture that just had the
slightest suggestion of something else.
I immediately felt convicted and deleted the picture because I don’t
want anyone else to be influenced by it. Be above reproach.
Randall sends a group text to me, Aaron and Bryson every day. Every day!
It’s there when we get up in the morning and he’s only missed it once
that I can remember and it’s only because he had something come up at
work. But he tells us that he prays for
us and to be a leader today, or be a light to others, and that he loves
us. This tells our boys that we are
united and that we are there – every day – for whatever they need and that we
expect things from them. We expect them
to make decisions…that day…that moment…that matter. We expect them to treat people as we would
like to be treated or as Jesus would treat them. This doesn’t automatically make them good
people who do no wrong, but it reminds them that we are watching and expecting
good things from them. Be above reproach.
