The Evil of the Digital World

 

The Evil of the Digital World: In today's digital world, all social media, news media and entertainment Media platforms are ubiquitous and influential. They Pose many risks for our children and young adults who may not have the critical thinking skills or the emotional maturity to discern between reality and fiction. Today’s Media platforms deceives and exposes many inherit vices to our young adults, such as explicit pornographic and explicit materials and life changing propaganda.

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Deception: One of the major risks of all media platforms is that it can be a source of deception. Deception can take many forms, such as fake news, misinformation, propaganda, cyberbullying, phishing, catfishing, online grooming or flat-out mind control. These deceptive practices can have serious consequences for children's well-being, safety, and education. For example, fake news can undermine children's trust in reliable sources of information and make them vulnerable to manipulation. Misinformation can spread harmful myths and stereotypes that can affect children's self-esteem and social relationships. Propaganda can influence children's political views and values without their awareness or consent. Cyberbullying can cause emotional distress and psychological harm to children who are targeted online. Phishing can expose children's personal and financial information to hackers and scammers. Catfishing can trick children into believing that they are talking to someone who is not who they claim to be. Online grooming can lure children into sexual exploitation and abuse by predators. Mind control, after watching the same thing over and over will alter the way our young children perceive life as we know it is in reality.

Exposure to Sexually Explicit and Exploitative Materials; Studies have found that adolescents commonly stumble upon sexually explicit material while searching for different information. In one study, 42% of adolescents reported exposure to pornography online. Prolonged and increased exposure to sexually explicit materials “can lead to exaggerated beliefs of sexual activity among peers, sexually permissible attitudes, and sexual callousness, including more negative attitudes toward sexual partners.

The music Industry: The music industry pushes sexual content in its songs, videos and marketing strategies. Some critics argue that this is a deliberate attempt to exploit the sexual desires of consumers, especially young people, and to promote a culture of promiscuity, objectification, and violence. Music is a powerful form of expression that can influence our emotions, moods, and thoughts. Some researchers have suggested that music can also affect our brain activity, cognition, and behavior.

The Movie Industry: The movie industry pushes sexual, violent and horrific content in its films. This is done to attract more viewers, increase profits, or appeal to certain demographics. Children and Young adults perceive themselves, others, and the world around them, and sometimes lead them to act out their lives as if they were in a movie. Movies and TV shows are powerful forms of entertainment and storytelling, but they can also have an influence on our thoughts and beliefs. Researchers have argued that watching too much media can lead to brainwashing or cognitive distortion, especially if the media content is biased, misleading, or manipulative.

 We have been being deceived since the beginning of time; The devil deceiving Eve in the Garden of Eden:  The devil tempted Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had forbidden. The devil lied to Eve and said that eating from the tree would make her and Adam like God, knowing good and evil. Eve believed in the devil and ate from the tree, then gave some to Adam, who also ate. As a result, they became aware of their nakedness and felt ashamed. God was angry with them and punished them by expelling them from the garden and making their lives hard. Gensis 3:4

What can We Do?

It is important for parents, educators, and policymakers to be aware of the potential dangers of Media deception and to take proactive measures to protect children and young adults from them. Some of the possible measures include:  Christian Value and biblical teaching. Educating them about how to identify and avoid deceptive content and practices on media platforms. This can include teaching them how to check the credibility of sources, verify facts, recognize bias and propaganda techniques, report and block abusive users, and protect their privacy and security online. Monitoring social media use and setting appropriate boundaries and rules. This can include limiting the time and frequency of social media use, restricting access to certain platforms or features, reviewing children's online contacts and activities, and having open and honest conversations with them about their online experiences.  Providing children with alternative sources of information and entertainment that are trustworthy, educational, and positive. This can include encouraging them to read books, magazines, newspapers, or websites that are factual and reputable; watch TV shows, movies, documentaries, or videos that are informative and inspiring; listen to podcasts, radio programs, music, or audiobooks that are engaging and uplifting; or play games, puzzles, quizzes, or hobbies that are fun and stimulating.

Our Opinion:

Media can be a source of deception and an evil tool, however it can also be a source of empowerment, enrichment and connect us to our friends and family if used wisely and responsibly. We need to educate and monitoring our children and young adults with alternatives ways to keep occupied and show them the great gift of the good news of Jesus. We need to partition our policymakers to make new laws on a faith based choice on the media responsibility on this type materials they push at the same time keep our liberties free.

 Biblical Reference of being deceived:

Genesis 3:1-5: This is the first account of Satan's deception, when he tempted Eve to eat from the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He lied to her by saying that she would not die, but become like God, knowing good and evil¹.

Matthew 4:8-10: This is the third temptation of Jesus by Satan, when he showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and offered them to him if he would bow down and worship him. Jesus rebuked him by saying that only God should be worshiped and served².

John 8:44: This is a harsh condemnation of the Pharisees by Jesus, when he called them children of the devil, and said that the devil was a murderer and a liar from the beginning, and the father of lies³.

2 Corinthians 11:3: This is a warning from Paul to the Corinthians, when he expressed his fear that they might be deceived by the serpent's cunning and lose their sincere and pure devotion to Christ⁴.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-11: This is a prophecy from Paul about the coming of the lawless one, who will be in accordance with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not love the truth⁵.

Revelation 12:9: This is a description of the cosmic battle between God and Satan, when the great dragon, the serpent of old, who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, was thrown down to the earth, along with his angels.

Revelation 20:3: This is a vision of the millennial reign of Christ, when Satan was bound and thrown into the abyss, and shut and sealed over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed.

 More Resources:

(1) 35 Bible verses about Satan, As Deceiver - Online Bible. https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Satan,-As-Deceiver.

(2) 23 Bible Verses about Satan - Scripture on the Devil - Bible Study Tools. https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-satan/.

(3) What Does the Bible Say About Satan or the Devil?. https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_satan.htm.

(4) Bible Verses About Being Deceived - King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Being-Deceived/.

(5) BIBLE VERSES ABOUT SATAN - King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Satan/.

(6) 35 Bible verses about Satan, As Deceiver - Online Bible. https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Satan,-As-Deceiver.

(7) 23 Bible Verses about Satan - Scripture on the Devil - Bible Study Tools. https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-satan/.

(8) What Does the Bible Say About Satan or the Devil?. https://www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_satan.htm.

(9) Bible Verses About Being Deceived - King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Being-Deceived/.

(10) BIBLE VERSES ABOUT SATAN - King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Satan/.