WhatsApp Status: Defining 21st Century Personality? (Dancing Monologue Series 5)

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Social media are computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks (Wikipedia).
Social media has also become a channel for empowering people. It brings society closer, helps us make friends, reconnects with long lost friends, and create new entrepreneurship by bringing together news, trends and best practices in social enterprises, assisting in marketing the products. It also a platform to share and communicate an idea in an instant. 

The first half of the 21^st century will clearly go down in world history as the age of social media. In this fast-changing world, you never know what to expect next, the next half of the 21^st century might dawn a new revolution. Social media space such as Facebook, YouTube, Netflix, WhatsApp, Tinder, Instagram, and Twitter etc. has shaped the worldview of the present generation. It can  be a challenge to grow up in a society where social media can control our thought process, wellbeing and existence itself. In this social media frenzy, only a few chose to remain aloof while others are literally sucked in, making it addictive. In some case, you have to fit into a certain group so that you are socially accepted and the validation of your everyday activities should come through more views, likes, and comment. This can be a thrilling adventure for the millennials but it can also lead to  isolation and depression. But study suggests that social media can empower the introverts and make them more outspoken and socially oriented. In this madness, youth are vulnerable to stress and other health issues. 

People use social media for a different reason, but one thing is sure, you definitely want to look good and be presentable. You want recognition, appreciation, and validation from friends and acquaintances, making ourselves vulnerable by looking for external measurements to our worth. There are certain dangers, you can be hated on the net for no reason, you are compared among the wannabes and pushing yourself further to bitterness. Today, hate trolls from keyboard warriors are common; you can be judged and criticized (public shaming). And rampant fake news without filter polarized the social fabric even further. Above all, it consumes our time, as this virtual space is rarely used for educational purposes or for creating new ideas but for self-fulfillment, convenient friendships, and time pass.

I looked up to some of the WhatsApp personal descriptions, display profiles and their status updates in my contact list to see what and how the millennials are thinking or doing. It is interesting to witness cultural upheaval in such a limited space. Some rarely changed their display profile/picture or description. Through this medium, the present generation is expressing their views, opinions, sexual orientation etc. But this space can also make them narcist, self-centered and self-conscious of oneself after seeing friends and imitating role models in social media. Many of the personal descriptions have religious connotation such as Christ alone understands, With God everything is possible, Truth shall set you free God is love, We are saved to save someone, In Christ alone etc. Some use their description that is available in the app itself like I'm on WhatsApp, Busy, Available, At work etc., and interestingly someone even conveniently changed their description Hey there, I’m using WhatsApp to Hey There, WhatsApp is using me? Which is true for many of us. Whereas there are also some philosophical group of people who use famous quotations such as Simple living is the happiest life, Life isn’t always easy,  Success requires sacrifices, Beware your day are numbered, Pain is real so is hope, Lead or follow, Patience bring victory etc. Some user define themselves literally or hypothetically but a majority of the personal description have a positive vibe, an attitude that is forward-looking such as What a wonderful world, Always be in positive attitude, Imperfection is the new perfection, Blessed beyond belief etc. Daily status updates which last for just 24 hours is a space where the majority of the users express themselves. Even the most introvert among us can be seen updating about their everyday affairs. Here the good, the bad and the ugly of our everyday life are showcased. It is also used to share ideas, feeling, events, news, etc. through videos, images and messages. Some states their everyday struggle in their status with phrases like Crazy world, Take me away to better days, Hate night shift (working as a nurse), I want you to stay forever with me (relationship based), But it’s not over yet, if work is worship- I am an atheist, trying a new phone etc. And the display picture which is meant to display personal images is also used to display quotations or Bible references, image of celebrities, scenery, art etc. And some use this as a creative platform to send out a certain message to the society at large. 

Whatever maybe the reason, it is proven beyond doubt that even a non-believer in social media can also be proselytized to join the ever-increasing social media movement. This movement has given the millennials a space to express, share and most importantly be seen and heard. But how do we use these platforms as a Christian? How do we fit  Christian narratives and values in this modern technology? Here are some Bible references which can offer guidelines on how we see and use social media. 

 “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16 

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:7

 “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement”. Proverbs 18:1

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (Proverbs 18:2). 

“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  Hebrew 3:13

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

As we use different social media (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) etc., for different purposes let us judiciously guard our conduct and comments. Let us use online space to send out a positive attitude towards life and reflect our character which is acceptable in the eyes of God and man.

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