Who do you follow?

For many, answering this question is as simple as opening our favorite social media app and looking at the list of the accounts we follow. But as Christians, the question takes on a more complex tone. In the Gospel of Mark, some of Jesus’s first words were, “Follow me.” Simply put, the Christian life is one that follows Jesus above all else.

But what does it say about us that we follow thousands of accounts, brands, and influencers on our social media accounts? The deeper question beneath this is “Who are you a disciple of?” Just because we follow an account on social media doesn’t mean that it influences us directly, but social media has profound power to shape who we are. As followers of Jesus in a digital age, we need wise discernment.

Thankfully, God has given us His Word, which provides all the knowledge and discernment we could ever need. Whether you’re a parent trying to navigate devices and social media with your children or you’re simply looking to have a healthier relationship with social media yourself, the Bible provides guidance. Here are five biblical principles to help you navigate your social media usage.

1. Remain sober-minded.

In the conclusion of Peter’s first letter, he exhorts his readers: “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8). If you are on social media long enough, you know that there is plenty of harmful content out there. We can’t often stop something problematic from appearing on our screens (though we should certainly seek to avoid it!), so when it arises, we should be sober-minded enough to scroll past it without a second thought.

It is vital, therefore, that we use our time—on and off social media—to keep our minds focused on the things that are most in alignment with God’s character: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable” (Philippians 4:8). We do this through reading Scripture daily, being in Christian community, and consuming content that builds up Christlikeness rather than tears it down.

2. Beware false teachers.

Due to the number of voices we hear via social media, we are bound to encounter some that teach things directly contrary to God’s truth. We do well to heed the wisdom of Proverbs 14:15, which says, “The inexperienced one believes anything, but the sensible one watches his steps.” It seems obvious, but we cannot trust everything we read, hear, and see on social media. A healthy amount of skepticism (i.e., “watching our steps”) is appropriate any time we open social media.

We should be especially keen to notice those who speak in Jesus’s name yet teach falsehood. Jesus said such people come to us “in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Thankfully, Jesus gives us the metric to discern their teachings: “You’ll recognize them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16a). Any time we hear a sermon or Christian teaching on social media we should ask ourselves a few questions: What are the results of their teaching? Do they live a lifestyle consistent with the character of Christ? And, most importantly, is what they are teaching consistent with Scripture?

3. Consider your screen time.

Statistics show that our devices and social media are taking more and more of our time. Between 2019 and 2022, average time spent on non-voice phone usage in America increased from 3 hours and 45 minutes to 4 hours and 30 minutes¹. For eighteen-year-olds, this number shoots up to 7 hours and 2 minutes². It is usually the things we spend the most time doing that most shape our character. This is why Paul told the Christians at Ephesus to “[make] the most of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Paul’s words remind us that time is a gift and that we should be attentive in how we steward it. 

Sometimes it is an appropriate use of our time to catch up with our friends’ Facebook posts, watch a few TikTok videos to decompress after work, or enjoy a good YouTube video essay while we eat lunch. But we should prayerfully consider when and for how long we are using social media rather than mindlessly allowing our habits to make the decision for us. Otherwise, social media will form us in ways we are unaware of.

4. Be countercultural.

Between 2019 and 2025, the percentage of Americans that report being addicted to social media increased from 30 percent³ to 45.8 percent⁴. With the power of influencers, algorithms, and advertisers taking advantage of our lack of impulse control, social media

companies have hijacked our brains to desire near constant stimulation. And it’s not surprising that social media addiction is rising, considering that 91 percent of Americans now own a smartphone, up from just 35 percent in 2011⁵. It’s unlikely that we are all capable of throwing our phone in a river and going off the grid (though it might be for some!), so Christians have the opportunity to witness to how Jesus can change our relationship with social media.

Consider, for example, fasting from social media for 24 hours once a week. Ironically, you might even make a post on social media about this new practice and invite others to join you, explaining that you want to intentionally give your mind and focus to Jesus rather than social media once a week. Showing the hope that exists in Christ for emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing amidst a society addicted to social media is a strong witness to the power of the gospel and a relationship with Jesus.

5. Go offline to gather with others.

Despite the fact that we are “connected” to more people than ever before via social media, we are also lonelier than we have ever been. A 2024 APA poll reported that 1 in 3 Americans reported feeling lonely at least once a week⁶. In that same poll only 3 percent of Americans said that an online community or discussion forums were the place they felt the highest sense of community and belonging. These statistics show us the importance of in-person community.

Scripture also attests to its importance. Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages us to “provoke love and good works” explicitly by gathering together. Paul frequently expresses his desire to see the people of his churches face-to-face even as he is with them in spirit (Romans 1:11–12, 1 Thessalonians 2:17). We cannot replace face-to-face community with social media.

Consider how you can intentionally unplug from social media by gathering with other believers in-person beyond Sunday mornings. Plan a time to go for a walk together in a park, to go shopping, or even a fun activity like bowling. Make a concerted effort not to reach for your phone during this time. Our focus and attention spans are muscles, so being present to the moment around us requires practice.

Social Media Is a Tool, Not a Master

In the right hands, a hammer can do incredible things like build houses or fix broken furniture. But in the wrong hands, it can cause great harm. Social media, and our phones more broadly, are the same. Social media is a tool, not a master. When social media becomes a master—ruling our lives and taking up every free moment we have—we are often left feeling weary, lonely, and enslaved to our habits. But when we use social media in light of our relationship with Jesus, who is our true Master, it can be not only a healthy part of our lives but even a platform to witness to the beauty of life lived alongside Jesus.

Notes
1.  “Time spent with nonvoice activities on mobile phones every day in the United States from 2019 to 2024,” Statista, June 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1045353/mobile-device-daily-usage-time-in-the-us/.

2.  “Average Screen Time for Teens (2025),” Exploding Topics, last modified October  3, 2025, https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-for-teens.

3.  “Share of online users in the United States who report being addicted to social media as of April 2019, by gender,” Statista, August 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1081269/social-media-addiction-by-gender-usa/#:~:text=Share%20of%20online%20users%20in%20the%20United,media%20as%20of%20April%202019%2C%20by%20gender.

4.  “Cell Phone Usage Stats 2026, Reviews.org, December 18, 2025, https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/.

5.  “Mobile Fact Sheet,” Pew Research Center, November 20, 2025, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/mobile/.

6.  “New APA Poll: One in Three Americans Feels Lonely Every Week,” psychiatry.org, January 30, 2024, https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/new-apa-poll-one-in-three-americans-feels-lonely-e.

Additional Resources for Discernment:

It Is Well | Anxiety Bible Study		Is God Enough for Me? | Contentment Bible Study		Craving Community | A Bible Study on Friendship		Worthy | Identity Bible Study
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