“Let’s Talk Faith” Forum (fourth session) on ‘Faith and Social Media’ was convoked at Deepagam, Don Bosco Catechetical Center, Kilpauk-Chennai on Tuesday, March 05, 2024. During the first sitting, fourteen boys (from Basin Bridge and SIGA) joined in the session that was moderated by Fr. Ernest Rosario (Director-DBICA/DBCC). Five more boys (from the Basin Bridge Salesian house) joined in the forum during the second session.

Fr. Ernest, at the outset, identified the youth present on the Panel, as belonging to the so called generation Millennials or Digital Natives, who is not familiar with social lifestyle without Digital and Mobile technologies.

In his introduction to Social Media, he said that media today - being ubiquitous - is like breathing the air. The difference between traditional media and social media is that Social Media leads to two-way (interactive) communication, while traditional media facilitates one-way communication. History of Communication Media begins from prehistoric expression of cave paintings. Throughout the civilizations, people relied and relying on oral ways of communications (oral tradition). Printing technology became a reality in fifteenth century and Bible is the most printed book in the world, spanning five centuries. From telegraph to telephone and television, communication technology has boomed; today, SmartPhone has become almost a ‘must-have-accessory’, like clothing.

Vatican II has addressed the Church stand on social communication in its document: Inter Mirifica – “Decree on the Media of Social Communication”. Catholic Church has acknowledged that there is no integral (real) faith experience in media-enabled Church services. A participating youth also stressed the need for real experience in prayerful contact with God. 

Media as a challenge to faith, the youth shared that faith does not grow with media; one must go to the Church – the holy house of God. All agreed that it depends on who and what purpose one uses Social Media that decides its consequences. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology cannot replace the wisdom of the heart. AI relies on the generative method(s) using documents and content made available online. It depends what our contributions are on the social media platforms and AI processes. God seeks conversion of our heart; we can, yet, use the social communication/media to spread the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.

Moderator elicited the youth responses over the problem of ‘media addiction’. Youth highlighted video games and time-wasting media sessions, as some of the examples of media addictions. In all, the option for entertainment prevails over the need for faith formation on Social Media. Hence the consequence is, media brings-in laxity of faith.

To the moderator’s question, “What a youth will take initiative in the role of being a Parish Priest?” Surprisingly, a youth responded with the list of social media initiatives, already practiced; such as, Online Mass, Online Catechism, Online Rosary, Online Devotional Songs, Online Meeting, and Online Competitions.

Contrarily, all youth stated that we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, in reality. Hence, we must be really closer to God, not virtually. The remote living, which is tantamount to virtual life, is an illusion. Fr. Thomas (Director-SIGA) said, “Faith is nurtured by parents” not by Media Technologies.

Social Media is being used like a weapon by political parties; hence, Church must use it as instrument. Youth reacted to this, “But, is it ok trolling God on social media, by demeaning faith”? Faith is grown in human community personally, not through the instrumentation of media; however, we can share the Word of God on Social Media (opined by Fr. Jesudoss).

Social Criticism on the Social Media posed by youth are: What is the role of persons in growing faith and faith environment? What are the social responsibility to the issues of ‘fake news’ in the society? Because, one cannot discern truth from falsehood on Social Media; people has lost money, good name and even souls. We live in a state of confusion. How can we search for truth? How to differentiate real from unreal; truth from falsehood; vision from illusion? Bad news spread virally on social media and opinions are imposed as reality overriding the truth and factuality. Digital addiction leads to depression, accidents and suicides.

Faith is gift from God and a priest represents God. We must hold fast to the faith received from the parents, family and parish community. Faith is the touch beyond the screen. Faith and Technology are like two rails, complementing each other.

Quoting Matthew 18:20, ("For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them”), Fr. Director said that we are to be really (not virtually) present in the community for God to be present amidst us. God didn’t use technology to redeem us; instead, He send His son to be born as human; Jesus lived among us and spoke with us without any medium. 

Fr. Jesudoss concluded the forum, thanking Fr. Ernest, Fr. Thomas (Director-SIGA) and Bro. Tony (Basin Bridge). The forum session lasted for from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.