CHRISTIANS and the INTERNETBeing Aware; Being Equipped – and Being Good Witnesses

I. Security/Privacy

“Security is why we lock our doors; privacy is why we draw the curtains.”

Security Concerns – How safe are you (or your children) online?

• Physical safety • Hacking/Stalking• Cyber-bullying• “Virtual” Identity theft – someone posing

as you

Children/young teens usually give out information themselves

• Naïve; trusting• Sense of adventure (social experiment with

Facebook – most will gladly “Friend” a stranger and agree to meet)

• Tracing IP address is inexact; does not give the exact physical location of host computer (BUT Apps that use GPS DO!!!)

IP Address reveals town; state – not exact location

Location Services (GPS) in Apps

Skype - Viber - Whats App

• Free Calling Apps• Video calls/voice messages• Instant Message• Viber & Whats App can only be added by

Contacts in your address book (any user or “Spam Bot” can search you via Skype)

Instagram

• I strongly recommend making profile “Private”

• Pics can easily be saved by screenshots

• Hashtags make pictures seen by more people

• “Digital kidnapping” – see article on stolen baby photos (“role playing”): http://www.fastcompany.com/3036073/the-creepiest-new-corner-of-instagram-role-playing-with-stolen-baby-photos

“Most Dangerous Apps” • “Most of these Apps are not inherently bad; it’s the

person using them.” – Miro Notchev• Biggest concern is GPS location (can be turned off) and

“sexting” • But this can be done with ANY App/social media

platform• Cyber-bullying is HUGE problem• Set Password on iTunes/App Store so YOU will have

control over what is installed. Ask kids what they are using it for. TALK with them.

“Ask.fm is a breeding ground for gossip. There is no logical reason for it to exist.” – Valentina Notcheva

“Ask.fm could just be described as a bullying App. That’s all people us it for, because you can “ask” and comment anonymously.” – Miro Notchev

My Ask.fm Page

Typical Ask.fm pages

Security/Privacy Concerns• Friends List – HIDE it • Cover and Profile Pics are PUBLIC• Do NOT accept “Friend Requests”

from unknowns• Messenger – location; Time Stamp

is invasion of privacy• Turn OFF location – esp. on kids’

phones• You cannot turn off Time Stamp

(“Last Active”) but it is not accurate

Gaming • Can be played with public OR private servers. • Kids play with friends online; can add other users• Marnie’s story

II. How is Social Media Affecting Us?

• Behavior• Communication• Thought

patterns

I. Ana-Mia forums; Tumblr photos glorifying “beautiful suffering”

II. Jealousy (Comparison with others’ lives) III. Paranoia (ie Facebook “Time Stamp”) IV. Unedifying speech (in debates/arguments)V. Attention getting (sexy pictures; craving for approval) VI. Pornography

Self-destructive behavior (cutting; eating disorders)

Social Media Exists to Glorify Self

- Self-absorption/self-importance- Narcissism

“The Internet is all about giving you a stage and giving you an audience, and it can bring out and magnify narcissism.” - Dr. Elias N. Aboujaoude,  (Virtually You: The Dangerous Powers of the e-Personality)

“Selfie”-Obsession

Increase in Depression• Online relationships (not only romantic) draw

away from “real life”; leave us feeling empty• Illusion that everyone else’s life is better• Time management issues• Power of suggestion (“Wanna-Be depressives”)

Christians are NOT Immune to This! • The Bible warns us against self-love: “Do nothing out of

selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3)

• “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Psalm 10:4

• “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

III. Engaging as Christians

• Use Internet as tool to educate/arm yourself – doctrine; answers to difficult questions

• Talk with younger generation – to equip them to stand for Truth

• Means of outreach – blogging; encouraging through social media

Resources to Bookmark• Bible Study Tools (Biblegateway.com;

Blueletterbible.org) • Online Concordances/Commentaries

(BibleStudyTools.com)• Ministry sites with topical sermon transcripts

(Grace to You; Desiring God; HeartCry)• Informational websites with biblical

information (Gotquestions.org; Answers in Genesis; CARM.org)

Communication

• Stay up to date with social media (notice what teens are posting, sharing, etc.)

• Ask your children/teens about their interactions in non-confrontational way

• Discuss anti-God viewpoints/debates they are involved in/how to respond

• Blogging – excellent way to proclaim Christ, share testimony

Setting up a Blog

Do not use Scripture as a weapon

• Social media posts designed to be inflammatory

• Company intranet (Dr. Church example)• Use discernment when reading

“discernment” sites

Questions to ask ourselves before posting (Matt. 22:37-40)

• Does my post encourage or serve others? • What is my motivation for sharing this post? • Does this picture (article; statement; etc.)

glorify me, or Christ?

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

- 1 Peter 3:15-16