In today's social media climate, I want to offer a means for each of us to grow in media mindfulness and personal reflection. Only if we seek silence, prayer, and examination of our behavior can we embody the media virtues of prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude in our online presence.
Holy Spirit, guide us in making online choices that give life and promote deep human questioning with respect for each human being. Give us the spirit of discernment as we navigate the internet and our social media feeds, so that we may offer light and hope to a world seeking truth, justice, and peace!
Examination of Conscience for my Online Life
How do I practice balance in my online life?
Is my internet use put at the service of the common good? If so, how? If not, what do I need to change? Do I respect other people and their opinions?
Does my online activity move toward the integral development of persons, both myself and others?
Do I need to integrate more silence into my daily routine? How can I accomplish this?
Does my online presence reflect my authentic self or do I try to hide behind a false persona?
What are some of my current online behaviors that I need to re-evaluate at this time? Do I engage in pornography?
Are there other challenges I face in my online life? How might I practically address them?
Might I benefit from talking about my online challenges with someone, a trusted friend, family member, or confessor?
Lord, forgive me for my failings and help me to be a kind, respectful, and loving human being in my online presence. May I strive to always grow to become more media mindful and support all that is true, good, and beautiful. Amen.
© Pauline Center for Media Studies, Daughters of St Paul, USA. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
Sr. Nancy is the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies and a Media Literacy Education Specialist. She has degrees in Communications Arts and a Masters in Theology and the Arts from Fuller Theological Seminary. She has extensive experience in the creative aspects of social media, print media, radio and video production as well as in marketing, advertising, retail management and administration.
Sr. Nancy has given numerous media mindfulness workshops, presentations and film retreats around the country to youth, young adults, catechists, seminarians, teachers and media professionals helping to create that dialogue between faith and media. She is a member of NAMLE (National Association of Media Literacy Educators), SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communicators) and THEOCOM (Theology and Communications in Dialogue) and board member of CIMA (Catholics in Media Associates). She is the author of a theology of popular culture called, A Sacred Look: Becoming Cultural Mystics from Wipf & Stock Publishing. Sr. Nancy is a theologian, national speaker, blogger and film reviewer.