Are Facebook and Twitter hangouts for digital street-fighters and self–lovers only?
by Stephan Joubert
Are Twitter and Facebook really social conversation and sharing spaces? Or is what a recent article found true: that these social networks are actually the ideal breeding place for narcissists’ inflated egos? Speaking of narcissists, that is, people who are in love with themselves, it’s those who do not have the ability to really listen to others or to learn anything from others. Narcissists listen or read with the exclusive goal to prove others wrong, or to insult or humiliate them. They are self–occupied, selfish, aggressive and super–important in their own eyes. They are superior to any rules; they hate criticism and love blaming others for everything that goes wrong.
Undoubtedly self–love finds expression on Facebook and Twitter in deliberate and subtle ways. Facebook far too easily becomes a social mirror, where selfies and other self–congratulatory photos and stories contribute to some people’s image–polishing exercises. Twitter can easily become a social megaphone where own views are constantly promoted. The more followers certain Twitter users have, the greater their internet egos become. They even use artificial search engines and various keywords to “recruit” followers.
Where does this selfie–ishness on various social media platforms leave us? Well, it’s not wise to throw out the baby with the bath water. We owe ourselves and others a better digital presence. This includes:
We don’t only place pictures or stories about our successes. There are space for this, but we don’t want to be known by our outer, measurable achievements. People need to also know us by our humor, questions, struggles and everyday joys.
We don’t create a digital persona that’s not true to who we really are.
We don’t gossip in another’s absence on Twitter or Facebook about what they might have said or done elsewhere in their lives.
We don’t abuse other people’s Facebook or Twitter platforms uninvited by dumping our own stories there. If we don’t have something constructive or relevant to add to what someone posted or tweeted, then we don’t have to say anything. If someone said or shared something constructive, we only appreciate this (“Like” on Facebook and “Favorite” on Twitter). That’s more than enough.
We don’t have an opinion about everything people post or tweet.
We don’t have to get in a pious sermon, or try to be “deeply spiritual” every time in order to be a decent witness for the Lord in digital spaces.
Enjoy your social platforms in the digital world!