How would this term apply to the use of Social Media by Fathers. Men are accountable in the creation of their digital footprints that their children and the world will see. Technology allows us to “digitally speak” our minds, share our hearts, express our spirituality, our Manhood, even our parenting skills are displayed. The interpreted accountability in social media, religion, social issues should be discussed by all men. Kirk Franklin Gospel Icon; Darrell Gilyard former Pastor; Bishop Eddie Long; all men, role models and fathers. Job 4:21 (KJV), “their excellence which is in them goes away? They maybe without wisdom.” In Job 4:21 wisdom is lacking is the statement, without wisdom there is a lack of understanding, blatant sin and stupidity. I have faith the Franklin situation, Gilyard embarrassment, and Long drama teaches men a lesson when creating digital content, to be careful of what and where we post and access content. Actions will be found out and fathers will be accountable to their families and children. There are ramifications from unethical content socially, ethically, morally and potentially professionally. Texting and tweets, fathers are producers of content, but that content can be an undoing in multiple ways in social interaction, ethically displayed in intentions in relationships especially with children.
The misinformed idea is that digital content and cyber-footprints do not follow fathers into the real world, but fathers must understand it does!! Just as in “Kirk Franklin’s Freedom,” the 700 Club (2009) his admission of addiction to porn revealed the effects on family. Who would have imagined a spiritual man/father would help define the ramifications of our digital lives would affect our corporal existences. Online content defines and represents fathers so they must be careful of what they bring into their homes through their computers, “A man or woman is defined more by their thoughts, which can be seen in their actions, which determines their character” (http://www.online-literature.com/, 2006). Technology allows our character to be exposed which in turn is deployed in our online actions. Technology is a tool that can create opportunities for good and bad, the term “Come to Jesus”is a term made reference that everyone is accountable in their actions. Being accountable for our actions as parents, held responsible in digital terms for our content, Jesus (if you are a Christian) holds us accountable for our actions no matter what tools are used as a father. How can our children follow us as fathers if we do not respect our roles as leaders and models in our homes?
The more we use technology, the more technology allow us to do; does not give us permission because we can do something (Tweet, Skype, Blog) we should do it. Many forget that once we start the transfer of information it cannot be recalled. No amount of prayer will delete or divert digital exchanges and the content will never go away. Since it is permanent, fathers run the risk of families, children and communities learning about the content that is accessed. It is always stored on a server somewhere in the world. Our use of technology makes our content immortal, by the misuse of the creation and accessing of content that can change the human action/reaction. We are mortal people, but with technology can be immortal with our thoughts through text and pictures. What we create will influence how people/history remembers us, and what images our children will see. Technology gives fathers a digital legacy, procreation gives us a physical legacy; both are representative of us.
The Bible in Luke 6:39 (KJV); paraphrasing, how can our leaders in politics, education, finance and even ministry lead us if they are unethical in their digital content and online actions. Fathers, Come To Jesus in your Blogging, Tweeting, Skyping, Texting and Social Media presence; learn from the examples of Franklin, Gilyard, Long and others who have used the empowering digital tools for questionable behaviors. The digital footprints we create represent us as fathers, husbands, and leaders; what will our children say?
Even in Accountable: Making America as Good as Its Promise (2009) by Tavis Smiley and Stephanie Robinson; we are accountable for our content online and offline, no one influences us, forces us, holds us hostage in creating the digital footprints we produce. In our minds eye we should be reminded our steps ultimately lead straight to Jesus who will judge all our actions to determine what direction we will eternally go.
William Jackson, M.Ed. and Cheryl Williams, RN
http://about.me/williamdjackson
