Sunday 5th June, 2011
Noting that technology has allowed its users to be both media consumers and producers, Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday warned against the danger of “self-indulgence" by constructing “a false image of oneself" on the Internet.
In his message for the Roman Catholic observance of the 45th World Communications Day, Benedict said the social media in particular establishes “new forms of interpersonal relations," but with certain risks involved.
“Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world," said the Pope.
“In the search for sharing, for ‘friends,’ there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself," Benedict added.
Among the dangers posed by the Internet is identity theft, which a Filipina model complained about earlier this year.
Virtual vs direct human interaction
Benedict, who had endorsed the use of social media, also called attention to the effect of the virtual world on day-to-day interactions.
“Who is my ‘neighbor’ in this new world?" the Pope asked. “Does the danger exist that we may be less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life? Is there is a risk of being more distracted because our attention is fragmented and absorbed in a world ‘other’ than the one in which we live?"
“It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives," he said.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church also reminded his flock to use new media “to proclaim the Gospel."
Benedict said this does only mean “to insert expressly religious content into different media platforms, but also to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgements that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically."
He added, “We must be aware that the truth which we long to share does not derive its worth from its ‘popularity’ or from the amount of attention it receives. We must make it known in its integrity, instead of seeking to make it acceptable or diluting it."