First emerging in the late 1990s and gaining widespread adoption in the mid-2000s, social media platforms ostensibly created online spaces for us to share information, pictures, and videos with family and friends—as well as vast potential audiences of unknown persons. Social media platforms promised us greater connection with others, something most of us deeply desire. Further, instead of consigning us to the role of mere media consumers, these platforms allowed us to become producers of our own “content.” Suddenly we all had the potential to become “famous” if enough people “liked” our witty posts, funny videos, or flawless photos.

Initially, social media activities hardly seemed sinister. Sharing posts about births, graduations, and family trips on Facebook, “microblogging” messages restricted to 140 characters on Twitter (now “X”), or sharing a stream of pictures and videos about one’s life on Instagram, appeared harmless. There are few among us who have not been on one or more of these sites. Many have enjoyed the opportunity that social networking platforms provide to connect with old friends, share important news quickly with those we care about, or broadcast our thoughts and opinions to our audience of “friends” or “followers.”

Gradually, however, our eyes have opened to the immense power and radical changes that social media has unleashed at both the micro (among family, friends, coworkers, and the ecclesia) and macro (societal) levels. To highlight a few:

• We and our children became increasingly dependent on our devices, unable to escape the constant “need” to check social media messages, to pause in our quest to gain likes and followers, or to take the perfect “selfie.” Instead of talking directly to each other, we messaged.
• Algorithms we didn’t know existed tracked our data and programmed our social media feeds to keep us looking and looking at our apps, literally hooking us—and especially our children.
• Spending more time on our devices, we spent less time in undistracted conversation with our family and friends. We did less together. We had much less time to read the Bible and much less time to pray.
• Some among us got pulled into political debates and decided we needed to voice our opinions. We added steam to the increasingly divisive and hot political atmosphere around us instead of trusting in God and his coming King.
• Our tempers got short, and we dared to “speak” rude and hurtful things to others on social media, things that we would not dare say to someone in person.
• Some of us became obsessed with our appearance and spent hours in our quest to take and curate perfect “selfies” or sexy poses.
• Others took and shared inappropriate photos, that is, pornified ourselves, in efforts to lure or secure romantic relationships.
• Strangers gained direct access to us and our children, either as “influencers” or via direct messaging. These influencers, with ideas and values antithetical to our own, pulled our children away from God and into worldly thinking and sinful living.
• Ironically, while “connecting” on social media, our children became increasingly disconnected, temperamental, depressed, and unable to cope with the stresses of life.^[2] Some developed eating disorders;^[3] others were sold drugs,^[4] bullied,^[5] and even encouraged to kill themselves.^[6] Some were encouraged to risk their lives in bizarre viral online challenges^[7] or were connected to strangers seeking to sexually exploit them.^[8]

Thus, the shiny thing that promised us fun and greater connectivity with others actually distanced us from family and friends, fractured society, and rendered many of us and our children self-absorbed, lonely, addicted, and struggling with varying degrees of mental illness. In some cases, it even facilitated the death of someone we love.

Many of us are deeply concerned but feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with the far-ranging problems that social media has unleashed on our families and the world around us. After all, nearly everyone around us uses social media and our children demand it. To cope, we may try to ignore the problems, hoping that we can ride out the storm. Some may know full well that we need to act, but we don’t know where or how to begin. For others, resistance seems futile; the massive societal influence and seeming omnipresence of social media, make it appear impossible to live without.

While it may feel like you are struggling alone, you are not. First, we have a loving God and Father whose wisdom, power, and steadfast love is there for you when you call on Him. Second, there are people (some of whom are likely within your own social circle) who have experienced the same concerns and problems stemming from social media use. Try striking up a conversation with someone—a brother or sister in Christ or a close friend—to find out how they are contending with social media. Third, some people who have bravely wrestled with and confronted the harms associated with social media use have pioneered solutions and developed resources that can help us regain control of our lives and find the authentic connections and loving relationships we so desire. Read on to find out more.