Does my use of social media sites like Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat etc. help me to see my Heavenly Father’s incredible love for me and remind me of my immense value as a child of God, or does it cause me to doubt God’s love and my value as a child of God?
Does my social media usage help me to grow in my relationship with Jesus or does is draw me away from Him and His love for me?
Does the amount of time and effort I spend using social media take me away from my life's duties, or from the life of prayer and the presence of God?
Does my use of social media help me to recognize the inherent dignity I have as a beloved child of God, or does it lead me to compare myself to others, judging them or myself?
Do I become self-indulgent or immoral or anxious because of my use of social media, do I become a source of self-indulgence, immorality, or anxiety for others?
Does my use of social media build up other people, does it help others grow toward God, or does it tear them down pulling them away from God?
Do my posts respect my dignity as a beloved child of God, do they respect other people’s dignity as a beloved child of God?
Does my use of social media lead me to post inappropriate images of myself or others?
Do I find myself having to frequently repent from harmful posts, comments, or contacts?
Am I able to effectively curb my time or use of social media, or am I constantly trapped by it?
Am I willing to do without social media, at least for a time, to rid myself of any harmful attachments I might have to its use?
Am I open and honest about my use of social media with my parents and friends or do I feel the need to hide what I post or how much I use social media?
Am I willing to ask someone to hold me accountable for my actions and use of social media?
What to Do?
Be honest with yourself. Is your use of social media and the internet really what you pretend it is? Take some time and track your use. Break the day into fifteen-minute segments and write down how much of each of segment you used social media or the internet.
Set clear boundaries for yourself. Set the times of day and length of time that you can be on social media and internet and stick to it. Tell someone about the boundaries you have set for yourself.
Ask someone to hold you accountable. If you have been hiding your social media and internet use reveal it to someone: a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a trusted friend and ask them to help you be accountable for your social media and internet use. Use accountability software such as Covenant Eyes.
Pray: Ask God to be with you as use social media.
Pray: Each time you use social media pray that wonderful part of the “Our Father”: “Lead me not into temptation.”
Fast. Give up social media for one day a week, or one day a month. Start somewhere, even if it is only one hour a day; give yourself a break from social media.
Go to Reconciliation, let God’s grace and mercy bring you peace and forgiveness. Let God through His Sacrament help you to start over. Even if you have fallen a thousand times God will always forgive you, always welcome you home, always help you.
Go to Adoration. Sit in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord and bask in His love. Gaze on our Lord and let His gaze rest upon you. Spend time with Jesus knowing His Love.
Trust. Trust that no matter what, God has immeasurable love for you, will always have immeasurable love for you and desires that you know of His love and your immense dignity as His beloved Child.