A report by Joshua Miller, Collin Williams, Hunter Simpson, and Andrey Belyshev

Social media is one of the most popular yet controversial things of the modern day. Many view social media as a positive way to connect with others and to gather information, but there is also heated debate surrounding the negative effects of social media usage, such as sleep disruption, cyberbullying, and several mental health concerns. Even the U.S. surgeon general has commented on the dangers of adolescents using social media, such as bullying, sleep difficulties, and exposure to dangerous content. Almost every type of content is available on social media, but this article focuses on the recent surge of Christian content available on sites like Instagram and TikTok. This type of content has become more prevalent, and just like the rest of social media, it is subject to criticism. 

Though there have been many articles written about the harms of social media usage, as outlined in an article from Columbia University, social media is also a helpful way for users to gather information. An article from Liberty University’s School of Divinity academic journal, Eleutheria, reports that Generation Z spends roughly nine hours per day on social media, and that it is their primary way of gathering information. If we view social media as an information-gathering tool to such a large extent, it raises an important question: What voices do we listen to on social media, especially in regards to our faith?

We surveyed several Gordon College students with a short questionnaire to understand the general consensus on campus about Christian content. Out of all the students surveyed that use social media (such as Youtube, Instagram, or Tiktok), all have stated that they have come across Christian content. 75% of respondents said that the content has been beneficial to their faith, and 55% have said that they do not often agree with the content that they see. Out of the students surveyed, many have seen content that they have deemed harmful to their faith. Despite this, these students report that this content has had little impact on them. 

When asked about whether they believe content creators could be using Christian content for ulterior motives like bias, fame, or money, the students reported viewing bible verses, “prophecies,” clips from sermons, “faith filled morning routines,” or  preaching that they believed construed scripture. One interesting phenomenon mentioned by a student was posts saying “Scroll if you hate Jesus” or “comment if you have faith,” which they believe are meant to boost engagement. This survey gives the impression that many Gordon students would find true Christian content, especially content that is informative, to be beneficial to their faith.  

The algorithms that power social media are meant to keep users captivated and engaged with content for as long as possible, so users may use controversial content to boost engagement. Christian content on social media can be a great way for people to grow in their faith by learning more and connecting with others, even other Christians. But, in a fallen world, we must exercise caution in order to avoid being misled or taken advantage of. We must foster responsible use of technology, especially among young people who are more vulnerable. As Christians, we must remain diligent, and be ready to protect ourselves and others in the pursuit of truth.