Social media platforms have changed how society interacts, shares information, and presents themselves. Years ago, it was the good old newspaper, handwritten or typed letters, and telegraphs. What began as a simple messaging platform to connect with others has morphed into a landscape where self-promotion takes center stage. Promoting oneself has become the defining feature of this social media era. 
Personal branding has become the driving force behind the promotion of self. Building a brand identity is key for businesses to stand out. It’s much the same with personal branding. One can craft their own identity to differentiate themselves from others. One can portray themselves very specifically. Often, online personas are inspired by other influencers and celebrities. Today’s culture of carefully constructed online identities showcases self. Humanity has become infatuated with themselves. 
Social media platforms have become personal stages for exhibiting their talents, successes, and sometimes even the most mundane things of life. From travel, fitness, and business to beautifully decorated spaces, users leverage social media to curate and promote their personal brand. 
This cult of self-worship relies on the mind and feelings as its guide. This worship, taken to an extreme, poses one as sovereign and supreme above all others, bending the universe around one's hopes and dreams and enjoying oneself as the chief end. This kind of person will also believe they are the standard of goodness (who needs no forgiveness), and they will use seemingly limitless creative power to craft their own identity and purpose. 
Besides the obvious problem of being a rebel against God, humans drive themselves crazy when they try to be their source of truth. When one tries to be one's source of satisfaction, one becomes a miserable wreck. One becomes obnoxiously self-righteous when one becomes one's standard of goodness and justice. When one seeks self-glorification, one becomes extremely inglorious. 
So, the subject of social media boils down to identity. Who are you serving? Where does your identity lie? With that question answered, I believe the use of social media can be tempered and used in the right ways. 
When Jesus Christ walked this earth, His purpose was to save lost man from His sin. Jesus wants us to be followers of Him. Jesus is considered one of the most influential figures in history. His teachings have amassed a global following. Jesus Himself had no social media connections. He engaged in real-world relationships. The manger, the cross, and the empty tomb were the stage for Christ to complete His redemptive work on this earth. 
To be a Christian means to follow the teachings of Christ with the whole heart, mind, body, and soul. Their actions show Jesus’ teachings of love and compassion for lost and hurting people. He offered an eternal answer to man’s greatest need. 
The following points help us understand why social media has taken so many people down and the effects it will have if overused. 
1. Social media is a distraction from reality. Life is real. People have not learned how to deal with the reality of life. The easiest way to deal with life in their minds is to ignore it and hope it goes away. I’m not talking about the occasional break you may take from difficult decisions, like going for a walk to clear the brain. There is the danger of using escapism to avoid addressing problems or facing necessary challenges that are pivotal to personal growth and development. Unresolved issues can lead to more significant problems in the future. Suppressing emotions can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. Wholesome relationships suffer. By constantly distracting oneself from reality, there is the possibility of missing opportunities to bless others through our difficulties. Distracting oneself from reality can cause emotional distress, loneliness, and low self-esteem. 
2. Social media is a stage for self. It’s not news that people love to talk about themselves. Humans devote 30–40% of all speech to talking about themselves. But that number jumps to about 80% of social media posts online. People are looking for recognition and validation. They want reassurance about what they post, whether it be experiences or ideas on a subject. This often fuels a desire to post more about oneself. By curating an image of themselves, users can create the persona the world perceives them to be. There is also FOMO (fear of missing out). There is a constant stream of updates and posts in social media feeds, leaving people feeling like they missed out on something and leading them to share more about themselves to feel included. People like attention. To have someone watching and commenting on the places they have been or the experiences they had makes them feel accepted. There is also algorithmic influence where content on platforms caters to things people like to see, thus promoting more of self as that tends to receive more engagement. Cultural comparison is inevitable because people will compare their lives to others and share more and more of themselves and their accomplishments, not to be outdone. Discontentment with their life results from the constant stream of updates from influencers and friends painting a rosier picture than what they currently have. Too many times, users impulsively buy things they don’t need. 
3. Social media is a genuine relationship killer. Actual face-to-face relationships are difficult, messy, and emotionally involved. Authenticity has become increasingly camouflaged or perhaps even non-existent in this screen generation. Social skills are lost when one relies on social media alone to communicate. Text messaging, voice messaging, video calls, emails, and even good old-fashioned phone calls contribute to losing social skills without face-to-face conversation. Face-to-face conversations involve emotions in real-time. There is the possibility of miscommunication; one can feel vulnerable, and conflicts of personalities and opinions are real. Learning to control one’s emotions and exercising empathy is an art. When physical associations with other people become uncomfortable, one can pull out their phone to distract them from the conversation. One stuck on the screen all day may find engaging in meaningful face-to-face conversation very difficult. The convenience of airing a concern, belief, or accusation is much too easy with social media. Avoiding physical confrontation feels safer than having an uncomfortable discussion face-to-face. There is the option to ignore, delete, or delay a response when using social media. 
4. Social media is an addicting drug and tremendous time waster. Social media triggers a dopamine release, keeping the user engaged. There is so much scrollable information and updates to wade through. It is more than one can handle. As with any other addiction, this technology of social media has seemingly endless gratification. An addict consumes and consumes with no willpower to stop, always looking for just a little bit more. Computers as Persuasive Technology, also known as Captology, is the study of how technology can influence and change human behavior. Devices, apps, software, and websites are intentionally designed to change human behavior, actions, and attitudes. An addict’s device is always with them, and they cannot bear to think of how life would be without it. They always feel the need to check for notifications and updates. Other responsibilities often get neglected in favor of spending just a little more time on social media. Social media addiction destroys the body. It has very adverse effects on body image. Social media promotes unrealistic beauty standards, leading one to not accepting the body they have and even causing eating disorders because they feel pressured to conform to these standards. 
5. Social media divides and misinforms. It has a polarizing effect on users by exposing them to like-minded views and, at the same time, isolating them from dissenting views. This hinders constructive conversations in real-time. Social media is known to misinform. Information is spread rapidly, causing many to believe fake news and mistrust true information. 
Many things could be mentioned. Social media does pose a privacy concern. It opens the door to cyber threats. Stalkers are out there looking for vulnerable individuals. Scammers are out there volleying for your information and money. Sadly, many have fallen for their tactics and lost thousands of dollars. 
I believe there are right ways to use social media. Abstinence seems too radical, although a social media cleanse can be tremendously beneficial. The following scriptures show us how one can balance the use of social media so that the promotion of Christ is evident in one's life. 
Those who compare themselves with others are foolish. For we dare not make ourselves of the number or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you (2Co 10:12-14). It seems to be a default of our human nature always to measure ourselves and compare ourselves with the lives of others. What does it matter if our friend built a new house, and we still live in an old house? It matters nothing in the realm of eternity. A better comparison would be to put our life against God’s measuring rule, the Word of God. 
 God disapproves of self-commendation and consider it pride. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth (2Co 10:18). God has no time for those who commend themselves on their accomplishments through videos or photos that the world can see. A man should not be concerned about patting himself on the back. That is self-serving. The Lord will bless and commend those who humbly serve Him. The Lord will approve those who lay aside selfishness and pride. Praise and honor belong to the Creator. 
 Foolish men glory in their wisdom. Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches (Jer 9:23).Humans were created to bring glory to God. When one advertises and promotes himself or his things, all the praise and honor goes to man. God views him as a competition and a counterfeit set up against Him. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me... (Isa 45:5). Self-worship is an abomination to God. If true Christians make social media posts highlighting their accomplishments or things they bought, who are they trying to draw attention to? Can God’s name be glorified that way? Posts like that paint an unrealistic picture. Reality, most times, would tell you otherwise. 
True men reflect Christ. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me (Rom 15:17-18). Paul would not dare to speak of anything except what Christ did through him. I don’t think Paul was one to brag about his new tentmaking tools or clothing. Paul’s life and teaching were based on Christ Jesus alone. His life was a crystal-clear reflection of Christ. How is it with our lives? Are we truly mirroring Christ in our use of social media? 
 Wise men glory in Christ Jesus. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (2Co 10:17). We should not glory in our accomplishments but in what the Lord has done for us. Glorifying self brings man’s approval. Glorifying the Lord will bring God’s approval. It is so native to man to be concerned about what others are thinking. In eternity, what another thinks of you is of little concern. A good reputation should be cultivated. If one strives to keep the conscience clean and is a man of integrity, this kind of reputation will go with him. If there is hidden sin in one’s life, he will be greatly concerned about what other people say or think about them. This is critical for one to gauge whether they have been found out or not. Freedom in Christ results in a reputable life that brings all the glory to God. 
As the bride of Christ, we say no to “personal social networking.” This is defined by private socializing via messaging apps that automatically connect you with friends outside your contact list. These apps would also promote posts and activities that are driven by likes, views, subscribers, and followers. These apps would also allow disappearing messages, which lowers accountability for content. (PMC Decrees For to Keep- Article VI, 6C). Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight (Psa 19:14). 
 As you navigate this landscape of social media, what is the driving force behind your use of it? Have you promoted yourself or your things? Have you spread gossip or encouraged others in their walk with Christ? May we be God-honoring in our communications and promote Christ in whatever we do or say.