A Preacher's Conversation About MySpace

Topic(s): Christian Life, Youth

As the father of a teenage MySpacer, I’ve found it worthwhile to monitor what goes on his Web site. I hasten to add that I’ve not found anything very objectionable on his site, but following links to some of his cyber “friends” led to disappointing discoveries.

Some Christian young people evidently have no scruples against inappropriate language. I have talked to one young lady about the language on her MySpace site.

In another case where I thought the situation was more sensitive, I asked one of our elders’ wives, who also has teenagers who MySpace, to talk with the mother of another teenage girl about the content of her daughter’s Web page. I’ve also dropped comments into sermons a couple of times about the need for parents to monitor their kids online postings.

I think this accomplishes two things:

1. It warns parents who might be naive about what kids are doing with MySpace, Facebook, or other such Web experiences;

2. It lets the kids know that grownups are paying attention and might hold them accountable.

I believe this is first and foremost a parental responsibility. However, since the use of profanity is sinful behavior, it should be a matter of concern to elders and other Christians who are concerned about helping our young brothers and sisters mature in their faith. —JG

Another account...

I created a Myspace and a Facebook for myself. This actually proved to be helpful to me. The young people here related to it well and I quickly became online “friends.” I have had some of them send me messages with questions that they had about various situations. The Facebook thing occurred because one of them invited me to become a friend. I think it has been effective. I have actually had several of my daughter’s friends at college request that I become Facebook friends with them (I think I’ve become another dad to some of them).

As far as running into controversial or offensive material, I have done that also. One of the members had a daughter in college that was involved in some inappropriate activities, and was posting pictures of this on the Myspace page.

The parent is not only a member here, but a good friend of mine, so I spoke to him, told him how to view the page, and he worked on correcting the situation before it got out of control. If one of my children was in trouble, I would expect a friend and fellow member of the church who knew about it to let me know, so that I could help them before it was too late.

As far as being told that it wasn’t any of my business, this has happened to me also. My daughter ended up dating a guy that “pulled the wool over her eyes.” He said and did everything just right—was very smooth. I could tell by watching him that there were some things not right, and sure enough I found him on Myspace. After that he and I had a face-to-face meeting and he no longer dated my daughter. I pointed out the drugs, alcohol, and pornography on his Web page, said I would certainly help him, and encouraged him to study with me and to attend worship services, but pointed out that he was not welcome to date my daughter.

He said I was being nosy. I pointed out that it was my daughter, I had a responsibility to her, and that Myspace was public domain. Anything put on a Myspace page becomes public. You are not being nosy or spying when you are looking at what amounts to a public document. —TFW

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” —1 Thessalonians 5:21