Most week days, I check into my social media accounts once or twice a day. As I scroll through the many posts, tweets, notifications, etc.; I get the impression that some people spend far too much time with social media. Parents with teens know the dominant role these sites can play in their children’s lives. It’s important for youths to bear in mind that a real life exists beyond interacting with our “friends” and “followers” and “circles” in cyberspace.
Three Benefits of Having Real Friends
Personally, I like social media. For me, they are platforms I can use to inspire and motivate others in the Lord. But there are online “friends,” and then there are real friends. Here are three relevant benefits of having real friends:
1. A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17). Our social media friends can help encourage us through the inspirational content they share online. But real friends can love us more completely. Real friends can spend real time together. They demonstrate their love for each other by the things they do. Most importantly, they love us even when we are not the most lovable person to be around. There comes a time in life when most if not all of us will need a real friend.
2. Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17). I believe each of us should strive to become the best possible version of the person God has made us to be. Friends can be a priceless asset in this regard. Believing in us, they can motivate, even challenge us to greater heights. Sometimes, God blesses us with a friend whose strength lies where our weakness exists, and vice versa. When that is the case, we complement each other, and both are made the better thereby.
3. Wounds from a friend are faithful (Proverbs 27:6). It’s not in our best interest to surround ourselves with only those who passively agree with everything we say. Sometimes, we need someone to be tough on us. Or at least, we need someone who will be honest in telling us what he sees in us. Or why she thinks the way we handled a situation should have been handled differently. How receptive we are to that kind of input depends on the person giving it. When a friend gives us constructive criticism, we can receive it as good and not evil. That’s because we know friends have our best interest at heart, even when they have to criticize our actions.
Maintaining a Healthy Online Presence
No degree of social media activity can render the abovementioned benefits of real friendships. Furthermore, excessive time on social media can result in some youths becoming socially disconnected. This in turn will result in seriously negative consequences on their ability to properly interract with others.
The bottom line is that teens and young adults must find and maintain that balance between the use of social media and remaining socially healthy. And thank God for the real friend(s) He has blessed them with.
Copyright © 2022 by Frank King. All rights reserved.