This "Facebook" mularkey

Good or bad ? Blessing or curse ? Whaddayathink ?

You'll be aware that I think the new technologies of communication are to be used as best we can for God's glory. There's a few things to note :

Facebook is a public medium

Anything you put on your status update is there for all the world to see and ponder !
So only put there things that you are happy for everyone to know !

Facebook is a soundbite medium

It's not easy to explain yourself. So if you put on your status "Family crises are driving me nuts" then be aware that you may provoke at worst speculation and rumours, at best phone calls and concern... If the problem is your grandson's ingrowing toenail then "Family crises" may possibly be an overstatement. Try and be clear.

Facebook is open to misinterpretation

Pat and I once looked at the choice of marital status options available and noted that one was "complicated". We consider that all of life is complicated so we both changed our status from "Married" to "Complicated". Result : speculation, rumours, phone calls and concern. We changed it back quickly.

Facebook is good for escalating quarrels

There's a reason why Jesus tells us to sort out disputes privately between ourselves without involving others if at all possible. So putting on Facebook, "That girl has been at the medicinal whisky again, I'll have to confront her when she gets home from school" may not be the best way to handle the matter.

Facebook has a 'private' messaging service as well as the public 'walls'.

If you need to give people private information don't write it on the wall.
It's not called a wall for nothing !

Facebook is great for keeping in touch

Think about what you share, be careful but be open and it can be a great blessing.

This year I have been amazed at what God has done in the life of several people through Facebook, in various different ways.

Enough said.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Helpful, thanks!
1:59 am
Anonymous said…
Helpful, thanks!
1:59 am
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