A wicked problem – social media and connection
Should the church be on social media? This question has been rumbling around in my communicator brain for some time now. At what point is our presence on a platform complicity with the harm that occurs there?
Whether and how we engage in digital space may be one of those wicked problems where the solution is elusive and imperfect, generating new problems along the way. It’s a complex problem; let me focus on one aspect of social media valued by United Methodists – connection.
Ironically, while social media platforms provide a form of connection, their use often increases feelings of isolation. One way to understand this is by considering the nature of these connections.
People usually invest their resources (like time) disproportionately in things that matter to them. In the real world, these investments often lead to deep relationships nurtured over years, providing blessing and challenge, support and opportunities to grow. It can be painful when these relationships fail or end, yet we know the benefits most often outweigh the risks.
Social media platforms provide a way to cultivate relationships seemingly without a significant investment. Without leaving the comfort of our homes, we can connect with people like old friends or acquaintances from high school and new people who share a common interest. However, the time we invest in social media is often spread over many interactions, leaving these relationships thin or shallow.
If social media platforms were neutral in managing their users’ relationships, both forms of connection would be acceptable and good. The problem lies in how platforms use algorithms to manipulate our engagement, keeping us entertained and outraged for as long as possible to profit from the ads they constantly bombard us with.
The wicked problem today
In the political environment we find ourselves in, we can see the problem. At a time when we need spaces to engage in healthy conversation across divides, we find ourselves firing salvos at each other with only the thinnest of social connections holding us together. The situation is ripe for harm as we share our hot takes and opinions in ways most would rarely do in person.
In addition, these platforms have such a hold on us that we have less time to be present in spaces where deep and meaningful conversations across differences are more likely to occur and be sustained. According to one source, the average adult spends over four hours daily on social media platforms. This number varies by age, individual preferences, and even by study. Still, people are often surprised by how much time they spend when they track their usage.
Healthy communities of faith can provide spaces for impactful and necessary conversations today. Yet, we are competing with easy-to-use and addictive platforms for the precious commodity of time. While social media is far from the only thing competing with faith communities, it is one of the fastest growing and problematic.
Should we be on social media?
As I said at the start, our engagement with social media is a wicked problem. I’m not confident the solution is complete disengagement, but we should be wrestling with how we engage as communities and people of faith.
For individuals, the first step may be doing a personal audit. While apps are available to monitor your device usage, similar utilities are often built into modern mobile operating systems. Beyond time spent, consider and evaluate your connections with people online and in person. Do your interactions reflect how you wish to relate, and are they providing the connections you need to thrive?
For communities, are you on platforms that align with your values? And when that alignment isn’t perfect (life rarely is), is your presence still strategic toward reaching new people and supporting those who call your faith community home?
Well, that’s it for today. I promise to return to this topic again in the future. I would love to hear your thoughts to enrich my perspective for when I do.
Patrick Scriven serves as director of communications for the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Roger Barr
I was struck by the very last word of the third to the last paragraph of your article, the word, “thrive.”
I replaced it with the word “serve”, and tried to imagine social media as a vehicle for service, like promoting a variety of more caring agendas.
Patrick Scriven
Interesting thought, Roger. One could say that we are thriving when we are serving.
I certainly can find examples on social of people working very hard and with a lot of skill and grace to advance positive and caring agendas. The problem lies in what is often amplified by the algorithms, which is, in part, a reflection of our collective less healthy selves.
Stephen Jacobs
Thank you for posting this article; you cover aspects of social media misuse that are disturbing to me.
Social media can be very helpful in establishing relationships; generating thoughtful dialog with others and sharing our human connectedness.
Unfortunately, like in Greek mythology – social media can be a Pandoras Box releasing misfortunes upon humanity.
But as in the myth of “Pandoras Box”; it did release hope.
Craig Parrish
Well another thought provoking essay.
I admit I use no social media platform and I know I miss a lot that is happening in lives of people I love. They don’t bother to tell me stuff, thinking I know from social media.
I agree it is a wicked problem, without an easy solution.
I chose to participate in conversation, person to person. So much is being lost in human interaction with social media being our primary form of talking to one another. I know I’m a dinosaur, but I value the personal touch.
Joey
Thanks for this thoughtful article Patrick. I am a member of the UMC PNW conference but am working in a communications role at another mainline denomination’s churchwide office and we are having the same conversations. The unethical practices of some of these platforms raise the question of whether or not to leave the platform altogether. Yet these platforms are also providing a necessary way to connect people across shared interests and goals. Clearly people are hungry for connection and meaningful participation in the public square. In addition to discerning which platforms to leave we are also discussing which ones to join. But developing the criteria for decision making is a challenge. Hopefully we can continue to discuss and discern together!