The Dangers of Social Networking

What Is “Social Networking”?

• An online service that builds or reflects social relationships among people

• Allows users to share ideas, events, media, activities, and interests with other users

• Most services link people together based on common interests, places, activities, and a recommendation system based on trust

• An effort to “digitize” real life connections

History of Social Networking

• Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)• Usenet, Listserv, etc.• AOL, CompuServ, Prodigy, etc.• Web communities (Geocities, Tripod, etc.)• Blogging• MySpace, LinkedIn• Facebook• Twitter

Most Popular Services

• Blogger, Wordpress, etc.– Allows a user to “web log”– Often posts original content and links to other

websites– Usually focused on an interest and is VERY public

• LinkedIn– Focused on business connections and contacts– Users post career accomplishments,

recommendations, etc.

Most Popular Services

• MySpace– Older than Facebook, but shares many features– Declining popularity

• Twitter– “Micro” blogging– Posts are limited to 140 characters (tweets)– Often used by celebrities and journalists, but

accessible to the masses• Others: Pleonast, Bebo, Friendster, many more

Facebook

• We will focus on Facebook this evening• Based on creating “friend” relationships• Share quick public thoughts with “status

updates”• Publicly talk to “friends” via “wall posts” or

“comments”• Allows quick sharing of events, media, notes,

private messages, and chat

The Ubiquity of Facebook

• Over 500 million active users• About 150 million users in the USA• Average user has 130 friends• Over 700 billion minutes per month• Over 200 million mobile users (twice as active)• Over 2 million websites integrate with FB• Facebook surpassed Google as the most

visited website in March 2010 (hitwise.com)

http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics

Facebook User Statistics

• About 56% are female

• About 54% are 18-34

http://www.checkfacebook.com/

Facebook – Good or Bad?

• Facebook itself is neither good nor bad• Facebook can help accomplish good things• Facebook presents many dangers• Notice I didn’t say “new” good things or

“new” dangers• We would do well to remember the words of

the wise man, Eccl. 1:9-10

Facebook – The Good

• Shine our lights! (1 Pet. 2:9-12)• Share spiritual thoughts• Prayer requests• Bible discussions• Invite people to gospel meetings• Learn about the spread of the gospel across

the country and around the world• A number of “social” benefits

Avoiding Sin on Facebook

• Keep your heart pure! (Matt. 5:8)• Just like avoiding sin in general, it starts with

your heart! (Luke 6:43-45)• Keep obedience to God as the primary

motivator for all you do, and you likely won’t have problems with Facebook (Prov. 6:20-23)

• If your heart is not right you will sin with or without the help of Facebook

Words Have Meaning

• Facebook can supplement, but not substitute for face to face communication

• Remember that what you say on Facebook is what you say

• Be consistently loving and kind on Facebook• You do not have a “real life” self and an

“online” self (2 Cor. 10:10-11)

Facebook – The Dangers

• Personal spiritual dangers– Facebook can make “sins of the tongue” easier to

commit– Perceived privacy may create a temptation for

unchaste behavior– Wastes time

• Our influence can be hindered by the actions of others

• Privacy concerns may create physical dangers

Sins of the “Tongue”

• Facebook is communication• Warnings against the “tongue” are

appropriate (James 3)• Facebook can appeal to one’s pride– Posts that puff oneself up (Acts 5)– Posts that draw attention to yourself, bordering on

narcissism (Rom. 12:3; Gal. 6:3)

Sins of the “Tongue”

• The “cloak” of the keyboard may tempt you to say things you wouldn’t otherwise– Profanity, risqué statements, euphemisms,

“inside” jokes, coarse joking (Eph. 4:29; 5:3-4)– Gossip, slander, angry words (Col. 4:6; Prov. 16:28,

17:9)• Facebook posts can also lead to gossip “in real

life”

Facebook and Adultery

• The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers says 81 percent of its members have used or faced evidence from social network sites in the last 5 years (AP via msnbc.com)

• Purity is key, but Satan will use this tool to attack unsuspecting souls

• Keep Psalm 139:1-12 in mind

Facebook and Adultery

• If David could fall prey to adultery, so can you• The perceived privacy, especially of the chat

feature, can tempt you• The thrill of the forbidden and secret is a

powerful temptation• Even if it doesn’t escalate to adulterous

actions, it will sear your conscience and damage your marriage

Facebook and Adultery

• Do not be deceived! Your sin will find you out!• You are very unlikely to get away with it• If so, that is the worst possible outcome for

you!• AVOID this temptation• Beware of “friending” old flames• Give your spouse your Facebook password

Redeem the Time

• Even if your Facebook usage is benign, it can waste tons of time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5)

• There is the Lord’s work, housework, schoolwork, and work tasks that need to be done first

• Time on Facebook can become like an addiction– Do not be “under its power” (1 Cor. 6:12)

Protect Your Influence

• You will almost definitely “friend” worldly people

• These people may post things on your wall that are inappropriate

• You are able to delete those posts• “Unfriending” is typically a non-

confrontational thing to do if it continues• Recall 1 Pet. 2:9-12

Public Vs. Private

• As a Facebook user, you are responsible to understand what is public and private

• Be careful of what you post publicly• Become familiar with Facebook’s privacy

settings• Con-artists, thieves, etc. monitor Facebook• Potential employers will check your

Facebook!

Public vs. Private

• What you post as a status may be available to all 500 million users!

• Comments on others’ statuses are public• Do not say anything publicly (status, wall,

comments, photos, notes, etc.)that you wouldn’t say to a public audience to be recorded

Conclusion

• Facebook doesn’t introduce “new” sins• Facebook, like anything else, can be used for

good and bad• The key to avoiding sin with Facebook is purity

of heart• Beware the specific dangers of evil

communications, lasciviousness, wasting time