"Social networking" is a term that didn't even exist prior to the mid-1990s. Social network sites (SNS) have now surpassed or even replaced previous forms of communication. Today's blog came about because I've spoken with several women who have been hurt by something they've read on the most popular SNS: Facebook. For the rest of this blog, we will refer to it as FB.
This is not an "anti-FB" tirade. I am a FB user, and without it, I've been told that readers would have taken much longer to find this website. So don't worry: I'm not going on a rant that will end in "Everybody Off Facebook Today!" I'm only asking you this: Have you allowed FB to ruin your day?
If so, you may be suffering from tool abuse. No, the tool didn't abuse you; you abused the tool. Tools don't sin; users do. When tools are used correctly, they help us. When tools are abused, it's
like leaving an electric staple gun on the floor in a room full of
toddlers: Somebody's going to get hurt. Here are a few ways that FB abuse could throw your day out of balance:
1. Reading a negative post. If you're reading things that are hurtful, don't be surprised if you get hurt! "A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." (Prov. 22:3 and 27:12) If someone on your "news feed" is constantly posting things that are not beneficial, remove them from your news feed. Here's how: http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=218728138156311&ref_query=news And if you're roaming around reading pages that are known for negativity, you can expect to feel like you've been rolling in the dirt.
2. Frittering your day away. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psa. 90:12) It's not fair to your family for you to spend two or three hours on and off FB, while the house goes to seed, projects fall behind and your real live family can't converse with you because you're busy updating your "status" with the details of what you had for lunch! If you feel like you don't have enough time to get things done, maybe your FB visits need a time limit.
3. Getting into online debates (or arguments). "Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame." (Prov. 25:9) One idle comment can cause a cyberspace nuclear war! It would be better to let the other person have the last word than to go back and forth with someone who is not even in the same room with you. There must be someone in your own time zone that you can have a good quarrel with before sundown.
1. Reading a negative post. If you're reading things that are hurtful, don't be surprised if you get hurt! "A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." (Prov. 22:3 and 27:12) If someone on your "news feed" is constantly posting things that are not beneficial, remove them from your news feed. Here's how: http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=218728138156311&ref_query=news And if you're roaming around reading pages that are known for negativity, you can expect to feel like you've been rolling in the dirt.
2. Frittering your day away. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psa. 90:12) It's not fair to your family for you to spend two or three hours on and off FB, while the house goes to seed, projects fall behind and your real live family can't converse with you because you're busy updating your "status" with the details of what you had for lunch! If you feel like you don't have enough time to get things done, maybe your FB visits need a time limit.
3. Getting into online debates (or arguments). "Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame." (Prov. 25:9) One idle comment can cause a cyberspace nuclear war! It would be better to let the other person have the last word than to go back and forth with someone who is not even in the same room with you. There must be someone in your own time zone that you can have a good quarrel with before sundown.
Many people use FB regularly without any problems, and if you're one in those ranks, bravo! This blog was devoted to those who have fallen into the FB traps listed above. If you've ever been upset by a FB post, reduce the chances of this happening by being more selective. What you don't read can't hurt you.
"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." (Prov. 14:15)
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