THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION APPROACH IN GUIDING THE DIGITAL GENERATION TO ADDRESS SOCIAL MEDIA AND TOXIC BEHAVIOR

  • Amirrudin Zalukhu Cipanas Theological Seminary
Keywords: Christian education, digital generation, social media, toxic behavior, ethical online interaction

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media has introduced both opportunities and challenges, particularly for the digital generation. Toxic behaviors such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and cancel culture have emerged as significant concerns, impacting mental health and social relationships. This study explores how Christian education can guide the digital generation in addressing these toxic behaviors by integrating core values like love, empathy, forgiveness, and self-control. Using a qualitative literature review approach, this research examines theoretical perspectives and case studies highlighting the role of Christian teachings in fostering ethical online behavior and promoting digital responsibility. The findings reveal that Christian education provides a transformative framework for equipping youth with the moral and spiritual tools necessary to navigate the complexities of social media.

References

Addo, Atta. “Orchestrating a Digital Platform Ecosystem to Address Societal Challenges: A Robust Action Perspective.” Journal of Information Technology 37, no. 4 (2022): 359–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/02683962221088333.

Akcam, Bahadir K., Senem Guney, and Anthony M. Cresswell. “Research Design and Major Issues in Developing Dynamic Theories by Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data.” Systems 7, no. 3 (2019): 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030040.

Bogdan, Andrei. “The Church’s Mission in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities.” Orizonturi Teologice, no. 1 (2024): 105–29.

Chukwu, Emmanuel, Albright Adu-Baah, Moazam Niaz, Urenna Nwagwu, and Matthew Uchenna Chukwu. “Navigating Ethical Supply Chains: The Intersection of Diplomatic Management and Theological Ethics.” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Sciences and Arts 2, no. 1 (2023): 127–39. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47709/ijmdsa.v2i1.2874.

Dvoryanchikov, Nikolay V., Inna B. Bovina, Varvara V. Delibalt, Elena G. Dozortseva, Natalya V. Bogdanovich, and Olga V. Rubtsova. “Deviant Online Behavior in Adolescent and Youth Circles: In Search of A Risk Assessment Model.” International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education 8, no. 2 (2020): 105–19. https://doi.org/10.5937/IJCRSEE2002105D.

Fadhel, Mohammed A., Ali M. Duhaim, A. S. Albahri, Z. T. Al-Qaysi, M. A. Aktham, M. A. Chyad, Wael Abd-Alaziz, et al. “Navigating the Metaverse: Unraveling the Impact of Artificial Intelligence—A Comprehensive Review and Gap Analysis.” Artificial Intelligence Review 57, no. 9 (2024): 264–322. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10462-024-10881-5.

Fathurohman, Ferdi, Marzuki Marzuki, and Ridwan Baharta. “The Influence of Social Media Use on the Self-Perception and Social Relations of Teenagers in the Digital Era.” Jurnal Kajian Pendidikan Dan Psikologi 1, no. 2 (2023): 111–19. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61397/jkpp.v1i2.89.

Fowler, D., & Musgrave, J. “Embracing Christian Values: Positive Relationships and Academic Achievement in Higher Education.” Journal of Theology and Christian Education 6, no. 3 (2024): 81–108. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.19166/dil.v6i3.8717.

Hans, V. Basil. “Exploring Christian Ethics Through the Lens of the Bible.” SSRN Electronic Journal 2, no. 1 (2023): 127–39. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4828904.

Harrison, T., Polizzi, G. “(In)Civility and Adolescents’ Moral Decision Making Online: Drawing on Moral Theory to Advance Digital Citizenship Education.” Educ Inf Technol 27 (2022): 3277–3297. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10710-0.

Harry Ferguson, Tom Disney, Lisa Warwick, Jadwiga Leigh, Tarsem Singh Cooner & Liz Beddoe. “Hostile Relationships in Social Work Practice: Anxiety, Hate and Conflict in Long-Term Work with Involuntary Service Users.” Journal of Social Work Practice 35, no. 1 (2021): 19–37. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2020.1834371.

Jusay, Joseph Leonard A., Jeremiah Armelin S. Lababit, Lemuel Oliver M. Moralina, and Jeffrey Rosario Ancheta. “We Are Cancelled: Exploring Victims’ Experiences of Cancel Culture on Social Media in the Philippines.” Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities 14, no. 4 (2022): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v14n4.04.

Kelum A.A. Gamage, Shyama C.P.K. Dehideniya, Sakunthala Yatigammana Ekanayake. “The Role of Personal Values in Learning Approaches and Student Achievements.” Behavioral Sciences 11, no. 7 (2021): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11070102.

Kevin, Rebecchi, Lubart Todd, and Hagège Hélène. “Teaching Responsible Creativity: A Path to Ethical Innovation.” Discover Education 3, no. 1 (2024): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-024-00164-0.

Kordyaka, Bastian, Samuli Laato, Katharina Jahn, Juho Hamari, and Bjoern Niehaves. “The Cycle of Toxicity: Exploring Relationships between Personality and Player Roles in Toxic Behavior in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games.” In Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 7:397–431, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1145/3611043.

Kristanto, Samuel Hans, Selviawati Selviawati, and Tju Lie Lie. “Pendidikan Karakter Kristen Di Sekolah Dalam Membangun Etika Kebebasan Berpendapat Generasi Z Bermedia Sosial.” Davar: Jurnal Teologi 5, no. 2 (2024): 81–93. https://doi.org/10.55807/davar.v5i2.184.

Liu, Shan, Wenyi Xiao, Chao Fang, Xing Zhang, and Jiabao Lin. “Social Support, Belongingness, and Value Co-Creation Behaviors in Online Health Communities.” Telematics and Informatics 50 (2020): 101398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2020.101398.

McDaniel, Brandon T., Michelle Drouin, and Jaclyn D. Cravens. “Do You Have Anything to Hide? Infidelity-Related Behaviors on Social Media Sites and Marital Satisfaction.” Computers in Human Behavior 66 (2017): 88–95. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.031.

Okere, Samuel. “Framing ‘ Loss and Restoration ’ in Christian Communication : Perspective of an Involved Inspirational Speaker” 3, no. 2019 (2018): 1–17.

Santini, Ziggi Ivan, Paul E. Jose, Erin York Cornwell, Ai Koyanagi, Line Nielsen, Carsten Hinrichsen, Charlotte Meilstrup, Katrine R. Madsen, and Vibeke Koushede. “Social Disconnectedness, Perceived Isolation, and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Among Older Americans (NSHAP): A Longitudinal Mediation Analysis.” The Lancet Public Health 5, no. 1 (2020): 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30230-0.

Simpson, D. B., Peters, J., & Dixon, D. “Cancel Culture and the Impact on Restorative Approaches in BIPOC Communities.” In Restorative Justice and Practice in US Education, 113–33. Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2024.

Sivarethinamohan, R., Surjit Singha, and Ranjit Singha. “Key Challenges in Developing and Executing Higher Education Learners’ Learning Outcomes.” In Design and Implementation of Higher Education Learners’ Learning Outcomes (HELLO), 196–214, 2023. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-9472-1.ch013.

Walker, Deena M., Ashley M. Cunningham, Jill K. Gregory, and Eric J. Nestler. “Long-Term Behavioral Effects of Post-Weaning Social Isolation in Males and Females.” Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 13, no. 66 (2019): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00066.

Wulandari, Endang, Winarno Winarno, and Triyanto Triyanto. “Digital Citizenship Education: Shaping Digital Ethics in Society 5.0.” Universal Journal of Educational Research 9, no. 5 (2021): 948–56. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2021.090507.

CROSSMARK
Published
2025-02-27
DIMENSIONS
How to Cite
Zalukhu, Amirrudin. “THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION APPROACH IN GUIDING THE DIGITAL GENERATION TO ADDRESS SOCIAL MEDIA AND TOXIC BEHAVIOR”. The Way: Jurnal Teologi dan Kependidikan 11, no. 1 (February 27, 2025): 39-57. Accessed June 18, 2025. https://journal.sttbetheltheway.ac.id/index.php/teologi-dan-kependidikan/article/view/196.
Section
Articles