Today's Teenager, Social Media, and Catholic Morality

My wife and I have been teaching the Teen Confirmation Class at our local parish for the past three years. I also serve as the Director of Religious Education and Youth Minister for the parish. Taking on the task of instilling Catholic values in today’s teenagers and encouraging them to take ownership of their faith as they become legal adults is very challenging. Today’s teen culture is rapidly changing. I first worked as a youth minister immediately after graduating from college almost fifteen years ago. So much has changed in the life of a teenager since that time. In addition to my social references becoming increasingly dated, teens today have a completely different experience than those of a decade or so ago. Social media, the prevalence of smart phones, viral video, and access to any and all information at their fingertips has had a profound impact on the internal makeup of the teenager and their view of themselves and the world. Today’s catechists need to understand these changes and learn how to better reach their students on the issues of Catholic moral teaching.

Social media and smartphones can be a blessing or a curse. It is a blessing to be able to read and learn from people all over the world. In addition to keeping in touch with old friends, I also follow many Catholic organizations and religious on Facebook and Twitter, including Pope Francis. This experience has enhanced my faith and knowledge of it. However, most teens utilize social media for other reasons. The associated dangers of social media are well documented. Cyber bullying, sexting, and other forms of immoral behavior are predominant on this media. Teenagers today are inundated with a relativist; secular morality that often times comes into direct conflict with Catholic Morality. How then, do we turn them against this great tide?

First, in youth ministry, we must embrace the good of technology. Pictures, videos, online quizzes, mass texting applications, etc. are not only great learning tools but increase social connectedness and ease communication among the program. It also keeps otherwise disinterested teens engaged. While not all of our priests are “hip” to the idea of social media during CCD or youth events, we must be their advocate and promote the positives of limited media and technology usage. We must also warn the teenagers of the very real dangers that lurk in social media and cyberspace. Unless they feel the threat is relevant to them, they aren’t likely to heed its warning.

Second, and most importantly, we must express that Catholic moral teaching is based upon the sanctity and dignity of all human life and that we, as beings created in the image and likeness of God, are designed for so much more than what the world offers. Preserving life and the natural order are the primary principles that guide Catholic moral teaching. The preeminence of life dictates the Church’s teachings on abortion, same sex “marriage”, assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, and the death penalty. In fact, these five issues are considered “non-negotiable” for Catholics who vote and/or deal in public policy. One great resource for accomplishing the task of instilling the value and sanctity of human life is by utilizing John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

Two years ago, my wife and I became certified though our Archdiocese to teach Theology of the Body for Teens. It was an amazing experience that truly deepened our faith and our view of our relationship. The program rejects the “if it feels good it is good” message that society sends and instead highlights the true splendor of what we were created for and redeemed by Christ to experience. This program is so beautiful and has the potential to turn the hearts of any teenager who is confronted with its message. I encourage all programs to utilize this theology in teaching our teenagers that they and their bodies are sacred and meant for so much more than the instant gratification offered by today’s society but which lacks substantial meaning or intimacy. We must get them away from looking at themselves and their bodies as tools to be used and as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Being a teenager in 2015 is very confusing and difficult. The message of our Lord and the Church are often drowned out by secular culture. We must use the tools that teens use to reach them and present them with a better message. A message that life is precious in all forms, because we are created in the image of our maker and are so precious that Christ took on our body and chose to die on the Cross to save us.