“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” —but I will not be mastered by anything. – I Corinthians 6:12

Many things in our lives are permissible, but not always beneficial. Social media can be one of those areas .

While social media is often a great blessing to us–the ability to connect, to save precious time, and develop new and lasting relationships, it can also become a real hindrance to our ability to overcome mental health challenges.

In Part 1, we discussed two areas of social media that can hinder us: 1) isolation; and 2) comparison to others. Today, we will look at two more: addiction and social anxiety.

Addiction – Isn’t this a bit overblown, you may ask. Addiction? Well actually, it is real. Addiction, which in Bible terms is called slavery and bondage, can actually be a real issue in our use of social media. Many of us have felt this at times. We reflexively go to our phones during a down time to check out our likes. Many even sleep with their phones to have easy access during the night or first thing in the morning to check out their social media.

We might find ourselves spending WAY too much time cruising our social media pages in search of a “pop.” That “pop” I mentioned is actually dopamine flooding our brain, much the same way cocaine or porn gives us extreme pleasure. We can become addicted to social media and find ourselves unable to let it go. This article discusses how this addiction can hurt our soul.

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? – Romans 6:16

Don’t think this is a problem for you? Try going a few days or a week without your social media. If that is easy for you then fine, no problem. But if you find yourself agitated, distracted, and maybe even depressed or anxious, you may need to take a look at your usage and adjust it.

Social Anxiety – I find it interesting that the more social media grows, the more I witness social anxiety in the school setting. I often see kids walking down the hallway during passing periods with their heads down, “connecting” with their friends, just a few feet away! I will often see the same kids in my office complaining of social fears in their lives. The overuse of social media can keep us from face-to-face interactions that build real connections in life and keep us engaged in our world. We’re spending less “real” time with neighbors and friends, and more time with our “friends” in our homes on a screen!

Human interaction is an essential function of getting beyond any mental health issue we may struggle with. Check out this article.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong. — Romans 1:11

In Part 3, we will finish up the series with some beneficial aspects of social media.

Special Announcement

God’s Plan for Sexuality!

The more we know about our human sexuality, the better prepared we can be to manage God’s amazing gifts. Unfortunately, sexuality can sometimes be a source of confusion, frustration, shame, guilt, pain and sorrow. Sexual challenges can come from the choices we make, from the things that others do against us, and from the ways in which Satan has inundated the world with a tsunami of destructive words and images about sex. Possibly, even sexual intimacy in your marriage has been full of pain, discouragement, and frustration and you need some answers. Or you may be a single brother or sister wanting to figure out how to righteously steward your sexuality. With God, we can live out our sexuality as He intends!

Brother and sisters, please join Dr. Jennifer Konzen and the Men of Freedom group on Saturday, August 15th at 10 AM EST for a lesson and Q & A time!

Click here to register for the webinar.