Does anyone else feel like we’re experiencing a distorted culture?
Like many people, I used to enjoy reading dystopian literature and watching shows like Black Mirror. Over the past few years, I noticed my taste for these things has dwindled. I assume I’m not alone here.
Before, these types of books and TV shows showed us what life could be like if society continued on a certain trajectory. Instead, they reflect our current society a lot more than we would like to admit. I’m starting to think these types of media don’t just reflect our culture in general but also our culture as Christians.
An Old Culture Example
Back in the day (sounding a little old right now), lots of Christians stood firm on the idea that Christians shouldn’t listen to secular music.
Although many took it to an unfortunate legalistic state, I understand the need to go against popular culture.
As Christians, I think we need to examine the way in which we are going to go against social media culture in a healthy manner. Just to repeat – not social media… the culture.
The Event That Got Me Thinking
I remember when I went to a Christian event in 2025. It was an event in which loads of people from a vast amount of churches and denominations attended.
On a community level and a spiritual level, it was amazing.
I had a personal moment with God during worship that day and left the event buzzing.
A few days later, I was scrolling through my social media account, and there I was. My personal moment was no longer personal. It was just a moment. The personal part had been removed. I remember the days when a consent form had to be filled out in order to share a photograph of someone during times like this.
It makes me think of moments when I’ve met up with one of my best friends. You know those catch-ups when you meet for food and your friend shares the things she has got going on in her life, things she wouldn’t share with just anyone. Unlike the occasions when we meet purely for banter, the meet-ups that have an emotional flavour to them are definitely not the days when we’d typically take a selfie. They are intimate and are personal moments that are just for us to share.
Our Christian Social Media Shift
When thinking about social media, I wonder if, as Christians, we get the opportunity to savour personal moments, these inner room moments that we share with our heavenly Father: occasions that are so special and holy that can only be described as precious.
I wonder if we could start to think about what we will share on social media intentionally and what we will savour, shifting our culture and allowing ourselves to be present, making it clear that we are not following the tide but instead walking down the narrow path.
Occasionally, it feels like we are too quick to jump on viral trends without thinking of the root intention of some of these trends.
Social media culture says we should share everything. It frames everything as content instead of reality. But what kind of culture do we want to build? And importantly, what kind of culture do we want to mirror to the younger generation? What we build now will grow over the next few decades. I’d like to think that we are consciously building something Christlike for us and for the younger generations.
My Hope Resolution
I hope this year and beyond, we’ll use social media for what it is: a tool.
While using it, my hope is that we will remember to put people above content, finding the balance between who we are and what we do. It’s time to see a shift in our Christian social media culture.
May this year bear great fruit for you and all you do.
Title: The Christian Social Media Shifts
Author: Leonie Thomas
Date Published: 31.01.2026
Leonie Thomas 