How should we think about social media use during this coronavirus pandemic and the resulting period of quarantine?
Here’s my advice:
Be. Yourself. (Your best self.)
Every person offers something unique to the world. That’s true every day. A pandemic doesn’t change it.
Doctors doctor.
Teachers teach.
Parents parent.
Pastors pastor.
Singers sing.
Writers write.
Painters paint.
Runners run.
Neighbors neighbor.
You be you.*
Don’t Be Someone Else
Don’t feel like your online contributions need to change during this period.
Don’t feel like you have to mimic some online personality you admire.
Don’t feel pressured to offer something mind-blowing or profound.
Whatever you do, resist the temptation to copy the influencer template (? ) or, especially, to seize this crisis to build yourself a platform.
The world needs less of that now more than ever.
Serve Your Neighbor
You don’t serve anyone well (yourself included) by measuring value in terms of downloads, shares, likes, and web traffic. (A Taylor Swift pocket-tweets would most likely be seen by more people in one hour than anything you post ever will.)
Instead, set your sights on serving your neighbor with what you have to offer (and not with what you don’t have). Think of social media as an avenue through which you can glorify God and love your neighbor.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10–11, ESV)
What do you have?
You got jokes? Make us laugh.
Discerning perspective? Help us think.
Do you have medical expertise? Equip us.
Can you summarize reliable data? Update us.
Do you have wise ministry tips? Train us.
Home education concepts? Mentor us.
Be you. That’s why we follow you.
*I know that some hate the “you do you” language. Of course, it can be misapplied. Hitler lived out what was in his heart. But what I have in mind are the good gifts, talents, wisdom, skills that God designed you with—put to use for good purposes. That’s what I mean by “the best you.” The best things about you put to the best use.