(ThyBlackMan.com) “Keep your business off of Facebook Church Folk!!”
In today’s digital environments that resemble real and personal relationships parents must have conversations with their children about how to connect with others in an online environment.
A child, teens or young adult’s words, actions and behaviors can be a representation of the lack of adult supervision and guidance or it can show that parental involvement is present and engaged, but parents are setting a bad example of online behaviors especially if proclaiming being a Christian.
As a teacher in elementary education, higher education and in the Body of Christ, talking to youth, teens and young adults about 
their Social Media content can mean life or death in the world where people will take threats beyond Social Media and into real life and current or future employers will look at Social Media pictures and video to see if that candidate is worth hiring or even keeping.
There are actual events where people have attempted murder and committed murder just from words exchanged on Social Media platforms. What is disturbing is those claiming to be Christian using profanity, threats and other words claiming in the name of God.
The dangers of allowing children and teens to “cruise” the web is no longer a luxury, it is turning into a realistic safety concern. Parents need to have conversations with their children to prevent bullying, cyberbullying, stalking, Sexting and other events that can affect even young adults emotionally and psychologically.
The recent suicide deaths and murders to school age children and young adults show that there is a gap between parental, educational, law enforcement and churches to prevent these actions from happening.
Children, teens and young adults need to be taught it is ok to tell their parents or other responsible adults and even those in ministry what is happening online.
Life and death could be the issue in a young persons’ life if they are perceived to be bullied or cyberbullied.
There needs to be increased training for students, ministry and even community connections to share content, laws and consequences for inappropriate online actions.
These are suggestions for those in ministry to help when talking to their congregations about online activities. Ministries cannot delay because there may be a situations that grow to violence and even death within the church.
Cyber Etiquette Tips for Ministry
1. Exercise the Golden Rule – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
*If you wouldn’t speak to the person inappropriately face to face, then don’t do it online.
*If you’re in ministry, you represent your ministry online and off.
*Don’t get caught up in “flame wars” that include profanity and threats.
2. Remember everything you post online is public. It doesn’t matter whether or not you delete the message or text.
*If you’ve published it, it’s traceable by law enforcement.
*When posting online, you’re creating a cyber fingerprint, your fingerprint.
3. DON’T USE ALL CAPS when you’re emailing or posting something.
*All CAPs is a form of digital shouting.
4. Speak with common sense.
*It may look like a screen in front of you, but there’s another person on the receiving end they may interpret something different.
*Don’t forget your minister, pastor, elder or deacon may see your words.
5. Don’t post things when you’re angry or emotionally upset or hurt.
*It’s never a good idea to post anything when you’re emotional.
*Take some time to clear your head and pray before you post anything online.
6. Be sure to change your passwords every three to six months to keep from being hacked.
*Many use the same password for all of their sites and this is not a good idea.
*If someone figures out your security information, they’ll have access to everything.
7. Silly email addresses can cause a problem when you apply for college, scholarships and employment.
*Looking at your email address does it set a good impression?
*If you’re claiming to be a Christian does your digital address represent your walk within ministry?
8. Don’t post pictures of yourself or others unless you mind them being shared with everyone.
*Be very selective of what you upload to Social Media in pictures and video.
*If you’re under 18 have your parents review it before you post it.
*If an adult what would your minister or deacons say?
9. Talking to strangers online can create problems later.
*there are dangers from cyber stalkers, pedophiles, rapist, and potential murderers.
*Don’t get into chat rooms and reveal confidential things about yourself, your family, your minister and family.
10. Don’t give out personal and confidential information online.
*Never share addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers,
passwords, names of family members, credit card numbers.
*Try not to adverse when tithes or monetary collections are happening.
11. Refrain from talking on your phone during service
*Remember to put your phone on silence.
*Think about how God would feel if your phone interfered with someone giving their life to the Body of Christ.
12. Don’t text gossip once you step out the church.
*Is your information that important for you risking embarrassing yourself or a brother or sister in the church.
13. Check your children even in your open conversations about the
church, minister, and other business.
*Children, teens and young adults need guidance as well about
how to engage in church business.
14. Don’t snap pictures or take video without checking first.
*Just because there’s a camera on your phone it doesn’t give you the right to photograph someone.
*Be careful of posting other people’s pictures even family members.
15. Anger, hurt, jealousy, misunderstanding, can blind your common sense and result in doing things that you regret. Teachers, law enforcement, doctors and others have lost their jobs because of what they have said online.
*In this digital age you have to be mindful of what you say online.
**Your comments can be copied, screen captured, shared and re-recorded.
*Think about your family, your career and your future before you post online. What would Jesus do??
Resources:
If you’re on Facebook, Just Think if this was real!!
Here is a video of what not to post on Facebook
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
