As difficult as it is for me to admit, I am an opinionated person. Anyone who knows me personally would probably agree. Actually, my Japanese friends are surprised when I tell them this. However, it’s only because speaking in Japanese takes extra mental effort for me, leaving me holding my tongue in many cases where I might not otherwise. But that really only solidifies my point: I have a lot of thoughts and I like talking about them. For better or for worse, I am opinionated.
This often proves a struggle on the internet. In person, even if there are 100 people around me, I can still have a reasonable expectation of privacy if, for example, I’m talking to a person across the table from me at an appropriate volume. However, on the internet, even when I feel like I’m having a conversation with one person, in reality there may be hundreds of others observing quietly. I may intend my message for one person, but the truth is it’s open to many more. Engaging on social media is thus the perfect storm for opinionated people like myself. I’m regularly exposed to thoughts with which I want to engage, with a false sense that the engagement will only impact a small group of people.
Wisdom on the internet is so vital. And yet, it’s a challenge, especially for my generation. I first remember using a computer around age 9. We got our first household computer when I was about 11 years old, and that was only because we lived on base overseas. We didn’t have the internet until I was maybe 14 years old. Even then, social media didn’t really exist – Facebook and Twitter didn’t come until I was in college. The first iPhone was released the year I got married. Point being, the internet and all that has come with it is very new. My parents set a great example for me and my brother growing up, but they couldn’t set an example for how to interact on the internet and social media; these things didn’t exist. Even now, my parents and many in their generation don’t use social media. I don’t blame them.
So this leaves my generation in a rather unique position. For most of us, Facebook and Twitter, among others, are part of daily life. We get our news, keep up with friends and family, and run businesses using these tools. These tools played a large role in allowing my family to come to Japan as missionaries. Yet, many of us still struggle with using wisdom on them. I know I do. I know I’ve made many mistakes. I’m sure many in my generation feel the same.
I don’t have any answers to offer here about how we can do better. But something struck me very recently while leading a parenting class, and I would like to share that. Right now, my kids don’t use the internet much at all. They don’t use Facebook or Twitter. Occasionally we allow them to watch a video on Youtube or use an educational website, but that’s it. However, one day they’ll start to use these things. One day, I’m going to give the internet to my kids. What kind of internet will I give to them? On that day, they’re going to be on the internet and see the things I have shared and said. They’ll see how I interact online. And so, just as much as I need to set an example as a husband and father, just as much as I need to set an example as a Christian in my daily life, I also need to set an example on the internet. I need to use wisdom, not just for my sake or the sake of others, but for the sake of my children.
Again, I can’t tell you how to do that entirely, but I know for me it starts with praying for wisdom. James says we should ask for wisdom and God will give liberally. I trust God to fulfill his promises, and so I’m asking. I hope you’ll pray with me, for me, and for this generation and the ones that are coming. The internet is really an amazing thing. It has opened doors and broken down walls in ways nothing else could. But, like all earthly inventions, it is not without its pitfalls. If we are to avoid them, if we are to navigate this veritable minefield successfully, it will require God’s aid and his grace.