'Social media addiction' threatens family ties: Church

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 24 -- As the country celebrates the National Family Week, church officials have raised concerns over interference of excessive social media use to family relationships.

Pedro Bimbo Tan, a leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Tacloban stake (diocese), said it is alarming that social media activities have been replacing the family’s worthwhile activities in their homes.

“Social media addiction is very dangerous to families. Parents should know how to stop using mobile phones and other gadgets. How can we have strong family if family life is dominated by social media and other online activities?” Tan asked during a press briefing Monday.

Tan, one of the LDS church leaders with jurisdiction over nearly 5,000 members in the regional capital and nearby towns, said one of the church’s advocacies is to help families learn to control the use of social media.

“It’s alarming that even in dining tables, each members of the family are busy with web-based activities instead of talking about plans, achievements, and concerns,” Tan said.

The use of social media is not bad per se, Tan said, since it helps connect friends, learn valuable information, and share inspirational messages, but it should be controlled.

In its Digital 2018 report, We Are Social revealed that 67 million Filipinos with social media accounts spent an average of three hours and 57 minutes a day on social media sites, mainly on Facebook, topping the world in terms of social media usage.

Another local church leader Jordan Villarmino urged families to create happy memories that would be remembered by their children.

“Families that play together stay together, especially when their play is uplifting and wholesome. Family activities build strong bonds and feelings of self-worth,” Villarmino said.

Joy Alban of LDS Church Educational System said in the advent of technology and societal problems confronting families, there is a need to bring to people’s mind to the basic doctrines behind the establishment of families.

“We want families to improve their spirituality. All social ills such as drug abuse will be solved if parents are working together. The success of family not depends on the government, but lies within the four corners of our homes,” Alban pointed out.

Mark Espedilla, one of the church’s bishops in Tacloban stake, said they have lined up several activities to raise public awareness on the importance of family, including the tie-up of Church officials with community leaders to discuss ways on how to strengthen families.

“The emphasis is matatag na pamilya (strong family) because we believe in the saying that no success can compensate for failure in the home,” Espedilla said.

The celebration of National Family Week from September 23 to 29 is based on Presidential Proclamation No. 60 issued on Sept. 28, 1992, which aims to increase awareness on various family issues; enhance effectiveness of efforts to carry out specific programs concerning families; and promote collaboration among organizations in support of multi-sectoral activities. (SQM/LAAA/PNA)