The Daily Mail reports on an Oxford University scientist’s proclamation: Facebook and Twitter are creating a vain generation of self-obsessed people with child-like need for feedback.
 

They do things that are ‘Facebook worthy’ because the only way they can define themselves is by ‘people knowing about them’.
 
‘It’s almost as if people are living in a world that’s not a real world, but a world where what counts is what people think of you or (if they) can click on you.’
 
‘People used to have a portrait painted but now we can more or less design our own picture online. It’s like being the star of your own reality TV show that you create and put out to the world.’

 
To be fair, Facebook does have some redeeming qualities. In a world where no one bothers with Christmas cards anymore, it’s a convenient way to keep tabs on family and friends – if only to exchange birthday greetings. And who can resist the cute photos of kids and grandkids?
 
Facebook is also responsible for my growing prayer list. There are many “friends” with individual physical, emotional and spiritual requests, and others with needs and yearnings that they’re aren’t even aware of (Yes – I’m praying for you.) As well as the up-dates from Open Doors with specific prayer requests for persecuted Christians worldwide.
 
So those are good things.
 
But the not-so-good thing is what the Daily Mail article is discussing: the “Look at ME-ME-ME!” aspect of social media.
Have we regressed so much as a culture that we’re no longer able to form meaningful face-to-face relationships with others? That our sense of self-worth is wrapped up in Facebook feedback? Have Hollywood’s warped values so permeated society that we’re all just a bunch of celebrity wannabes? I’m afraid the answers may be; “Yes”, “Yes” and “Yes”.
 
What to do?
First, don’t get sucked into the shallowness of social media. Recognize both its usefulness and limitations then turn it off, go outside, talk to other human beings face-to-face, and get a life.
Second, when you recognize a “Look at me!” poster on Facebook, take a moment and send up a little “Jesus loves you!” prayer for your friend.