More than ever before, American teenagers live within an interconnected network of family members, friends, acquaintances, and online communities. The pandemic changed the way we connect with others, both positively and negatively.
While social media can make us feel more connected, it can also make us feel lonelier. Let’s watch a video exploring ways to use social media in a way that fights, rather than contributes to, loneliness.
Share the following video [1:28]: Experts say mindful social media use can boost teen health
- This video described how intentionally connecting with friends on social media through posting and commenting, rather than passively scrolling, can improve our feeling of connection to other people. What are some of the other benefits of social media? What are some of the downsides? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
- Other than avoiding passive scrolling, what social media guidelines might help people use social media in helpful, rather than harmful, ways? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
- Has another Christian’s online behavior ever made you question your own family’s rules or guidelines? Do all Christian families have the same specific rules of behavior? (We don’t always know the context behind a photograph or comment. What we post—and say—can have a ripple effect, especially for new Christians who might be confused by contradictions or hypocrisy.)
How we interact—whether through social media or face-to-face—can have a big effect on others. But even our personal choices can impact others. Let’s find out how.