So, you may have heard about MySpace. Or Facebook. Or Bebo. Or Friendster. Or Spaces. Or Blogger. And on, and on, and on the list could go. All of these sites fall under the title “social networking”.
We’re interested in seeing who among you uses these services. So let’s take a little poll (if you use more than one, let us know in the comments):
Many within the church today have chosen to totally shun social networking all together because it is “unsafe”. While that is a real possiblity (see this recent story), the truth is that culture is adopting these sites and bringing a new level of openness to the world. And while we as the church are sitting back, the world is moving on and the kids in our ministries don’t know how to use these sites safely.
First and foremost, we need to teach our kids how to use these sites safely. This page has some wise words from MySpace on safety that you can use. Second, we need to teach parents what they can do to monitor their child’s activity without making their children feel like watched criminals.
Third, it would be a great idea to adopt these sites as part of your ministry. You can form relationships with other children’s ministers, as well as connecting with kids in your ministry. You can keep up with your kids throughout the week simply by adding them to your “friends list” and communicating with them. Now obviously, probably 90% of parents want some adult communicating with their children via MySpace or the like, so make sure and tell the parents first. Let them know that you’d like to add their child as a friend as part of ministry to keep up with them throughout the week. Keep the parents in the know as to what communications you are sending to their children, just so they know what you’re doing.
These sites are not inherently bad. In fact, I am a happy Facebook user. Yes, there may be some bad content, and yes, there may be some bad people out there, but you can’t shield yourself or the kids in your ministry from it entirely. It’s part of life today. Christianity can’t simply operate inside this little tiny bubble and say, “We’re happy here, now you stay out and just let us do what we want.” We need to be in culture, influencing it for good. So what do you think? Let me know in the comments below!
absolutely agree 100% yes, we as christians should live differently because we are different. however, Jesus didn’t stay in the temple, He was different IN the world where the lost people were. the internet is a HUGE way to be a light in the midst of a very dark world. using caution, conviction, and good old common sense are vital! great point evan!
I use both myspace and facebook. It has been a great way to connect with old friends, make new ones and stay in touch with some of the kids I work with now and have worked with in the past.
I do think we need to educate parents about these sites.
I have both a MySpace and Facebook profile; however, I’ve pretty much stopped using MySpace. There is a lot of garbage on MySpace. I’m sure there is some on Facebook as well, I just haven’t been assaulted with it like I was at MySpace.
Several key volunteers and other staff memebers have been friends, but there are so many people not on it. I’ve also found that most kids are not quite into this yet. It seems that once they hit 6th and 7th grade, they really dive into the social networks. Many of my friends are kids that were in my ministry 3 or more years ago. This would; however, be a pretty decent way to stay connected to your teenage volunteers.
I have personal accounts at MySpace (old friends) and Facebook (current friends), but I use them as little as possible.
My wife has accounts at Facebook (current friends) and Flickr (where she has connected quite deeply with a number of people of all stripes).
Our church has and uses accounts/groups at Facebook (adults and teens), Bebo (teens) and YouTube. They all work rather well
Also, in Safari at least your poll only allows a respondent to choose one option. I need to choose four.
I am a long time IRC user. In fact I administrate a Christian IRC network. Other than that I frequent a few message boards and I use blogger for my blogging, which generates a fair amount of traffic through searches and links.
I went to India on a mission trip and used Google’s Blogspot as a venue to keep friends, family and partners in ministry up to date as far as getting ready, general information and fundraising was concerned. My husband put in my communication with him while I was gone and I wrote a journal of my time there after I got back. I made the blog private, with only people who were given the site address able to get in. I got the idea from someone else who did something similiar and the feedback I got was all positive. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with Blogspot in reading blogs that were recommended to me.
Of course with everything we should use discretion but I think that these things can definitely be used for good. Knowing how to use technology helps us relate better with the kids and younger adults in our ministries.
I use Google’s Blogspot! Love it!!!
I use both Facebook and MySpace. They are mainly used to keep in contact with friends across the globe.
I use Shoutlife which is a Christian social network. I also use Shelfari which focuses on books. Terri
In the article above you mention that we need to educate kids and parents how to navigate the social network safely. Do you have any articles written that I could educate my parents and kids with. We will be sending out a parent letter in January. Appreciate any input you could give.
Julie-
This is Evan Doyle. There are a couple of really great sites out there with some basic guidelines. My favorite is http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec14.shtm. This is a Federal Trade Commission page with some good guidelines, as well as containing links to some other great net-safety sites. Another good one is http://www.onguardonline.gov. This is a more kid-friendly presentation of the information.
Hopes this helps! I’m glad to see that you’re proactively working in this area.
I use MySpace and Blogger - I have connected with many other homeschoolers and work-at-home moms using these tools!