I found Kenneth’s message to be tremendously helpful. First, the historical perspective, because:

I. EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.

• 1968: Your TV could pick up 5-6 channels via antenna

• 1980: personal computers did not exist on a popular level. When introduced in 1981, IBM’s model looked like this:

• 1994: the World Wide Web goes mainstream with the introduction of Netscape Navigator

• 1982: Cell phones did not exist.

• Currently: 3.3 billion cell phones for the 6.6 humans on this planet (possibly the fastest diffusion of technology ever)

• 1998: cutting-edge music technology looked like this:

• 2001: the first iPod was introduced. 110 million units later, they are still “must-have” technology

• 2003: MySpace introduced

• 2004: Facebook created for college students. A year later, it goes mainstream.

We don’t know what will come next. Within a few years, Facebook will probably be replaced by something newer, cooler, flashier. Christians can’t come to simplistic answers like “No Facebook”. As Kenneth explained, we need a principle-driven approach to understand why we do or don’t engage in modern technologies.

But this is an urgent discussion, because teenagers have created a virtual society largely hidden from parents. For instance, one school in the DC area has more Facebook pages associated with it than it has students. In other words, false identities abound as a means of hiding online activities from parents and school administrators.

Facebook and other social networking sites make it possible for teens to learn from, interact with, and be influenced by students around the world. Can this be a good thing? Sure, but it comes with risks and dangers that have to be thought through. Why? Because…

II. NOTHING HAS CHANGED

Ephesians 5:3-20 calls us to be different, distinct from the culture. We are called to walk differently, transformed by the gospel. These verses set an agenda for our online experience:

1. Avoid Sexual Immorality, Joking, and Speech. Joking about sexual sin dulls the conscience. Sex is a wonderful thing, when it is enjoyed within the gift of marriage. So, we need Biblical standards for what we look at, convictions that guide our behavior on the internet. The problem is not technology, but our hearts.
2. Be Aware of the Influence of Friends. When we are in community together, we are never in neutral. What is the net effect of your life and influence? When a friend sins, what do you do? Is it “no big deal”? God sees all things, and knows all things, so we must be careful that we are living to build others up.
3. Be Careful How Much Time You Spend Online. It is easy to be distracted from God and others by technology. Wise living means examining our use of time and resources. rents

Parents, our children need help to develop convictions in this area. Their participation on the internet can be done wisely with full parental involvement. Talk it through so they understand your perspective and gain your convictions. If your kids are online, get their password(s) and daily monitor their online activity.

Students, you need your parents here. Be humble and honor your parents. If you disagree, do it respectfully and get a pastor involved (I would love to help). Christian maturity here means asking your parents for help. And if you have sinned online in some way, there is forgiveness in the gospel for you! There is nothing you have done, written, read, or seen, that is beyond the blood of Christ. Talk to God, and then talk to your parents.

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