This is an interesting issue and I would probably fall on the side of Julie with this one, though I appreciate your honesty, Drew.

I liked your point about Jesus being God incarnate, physically present in a real world and not an avatar in a virtual reality, but I think the analogy also serves those who would argue in favour of social media (something distinct from other forms of the internet such as porn). God’s reality goes well beyond our own – what Jesus experienced was a reduction of his own reality to enter ours – he was, in some sense, an avatar of God in a world that does not offer the breadth and depth of his own wondrous existence. Yet he still entered a reality.

Social media is somewhat similar – by its very nature and as its name indicates, it is social. It exists to allow humans to communicate with one another and cannot exist without this taking place. Sure, it is a reduction of our reality, but it is still a reality because it involves real human beings.

Are there pitfalls? Most certainly, but I would argue, alongside Julie, against the stereotypical view of the social media adherent as being someone who is socially inept and point out, as she has, that the research says otherwise – though we must carefully note that this research relates to the use of social media, not things like porn, which takes up a large portion of the internet and its use.

Whilst interaction via social media cannot compare to face to face interaction, though it has a great place in serving it, how does it compare to letter writing (snail mail), telephone conversations or two people sitting in a room, both reading separate books or watching TV?

Every form of human communication has its pitfalls and dangers. Even with face to face interaction we have to be cautious at times. Everything carries dangers simply because we are human, social media is no different – but social media offers the potential to connect in ways we have never been able to before – that’s why Facebook is so popular with mothers who spend much of their time in the home – it gives them a tool to reach beyond what might otherwise feel like an isolated situation. It gives us ways to organize social gatherings like we haven’t been able to before, it gives a way for everyone to share their opinion where the loud few dominated before, it gives us ways to connect with loved ones in distant places instantly… it offers a lot and there’s more to come. With my eyes wide open, able to see its pitfalls and my own weaknesses, I say bring it on!