Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Giving up social media for Lent? While that can be helpful, there’s a more positive goal: Resolve to be a force for good online. After all, the biggest problems on social media are the participants.
Yes, social media is problematic. Studies continue to determine social media’s impact on children and teenagers. Yet the level of usage continues to grow as this 2025 Pew Research Center report shows.
Still, 71% of adults use Facebook alone. That’s because, for adults, social media has benefits, including global connectivity. You interact with people you would not otherwise know. Even more commonly, social media connects you to far-flung family, friends and former co-workers. If you are intentional on social media for Lent, you are a force for good with all these people. How? By offering support, compassion, inspiration and laughter.
Your content and the ways you connect make all the difference. A book on habits, “Your Fully Charged Life” by Meaghan B. Murphy, suggests a strategy I find every interesting. She believes the best approach for positive use of social media is to behave as you do in real life.
That means to connect, just as you do when you talk in person or on the phone. Comment on the posts of your friends and family. Compliment a parent on their kids. Be intentional about what you post. This allows you to bring a laugh or an inspirational thought to others. And to thank those who inspire you.
To do that, you have to remember what Mother said: Be careful who your friends are. You can use mute features to stop getting posts from people who are habitually negative or offensive. The most selective you are about who you follow, the more likely it is that you will find fellowship.
The same goes for businesses, not-for-profits and organization. Keep it as local as you can. Give positive feedback when you can. If you have a podcast that has made your life better, support it on Patreon.
Think it Through
Be good to yourself (and others) by thinking about what you are writing online. This is also a “real-life” behavior. Too many people feel that the relative anonymity gives them license to be obnoxious and cruel. Before I speak, I want to ask myself: Is this true? Is this kind? That is how I act at a conference table. It should be how I act on my phone.
It’s also good to have a purpose for your social media accounts. The purposes for mine are:
- Facebook and Instagram: I use these platforms to connect with family, friends and former colleagues. I try to respect the privacy of my adult children and grandchild. I also use the platforms to talk about caregiving, helping people with mental illness and practicing Christian mindfulness. Finally, I use it to make people laugh.
- X, BlueSky and LinkedIn: I use these platforms to promote mental health advocacy, Christian mindfulness and laughter.
- Goodreads: I use this to record and review the books I read. I also share book info with friends.
- Pinterest: I do put some material from this blog and from other sources on my “From God’s Lips” board. The other boards contain information, recipes and pictures I want to keep.
Every post must meet these criteria. There’s no room for unsubstantiated or iffy information, political fights, vulgarity or hate speech on my social media. That is, when I do it right.
Try creating your own purposes for social media. It’s what the pros … which I used to be … do.
You also have to think about what time limits you set on your social media use. I personally do not look at social media during the day, only after dinner. This gives me more peace of mind. (Remember: Your grandparents and parents waited for the evening news to find out what was happening in the world. And they did fine. If your neighborhood is on fire, you will hear the sirens.)
Being more intentional about your presence on line can bring more faith, hope and love into your life. If you try it, I’d love to hear your results.