What is social media?
Social media is computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks and communities. Users engage with social media via computer, tablet or smartphone via web-based software or web application, often utilising it for messaging.
Social media can be categorised under different types:
- Social Networking Sites like Twitter, Facebook etc
- Image Sharing and Messaging Sites such as Instagram and Snapchat
- Video Sharing Sites like Vimeo, Tik Tok or You Tube.
- Social Blogging.
- Social Community and Discussion Sites.
Social media and the Church:
Social media is fundamentally changing how people communicate. Our Church can not ignore it; in fact, it is our responsibility as Catholics to bring the Church’s teachings into what Pope Benedict XVI called the “digital continent.”
Many parishes and dioceses are now active on social media. These platforms are all about telling stories and sharing our faith. We need to keep this mission statement in mind when we are creating content for sharing on our social media. We also need to have high standards for the content we create and share.
As Pope Francis wrote in the 48th World Communications Day message, “The revolution taking place in communications media and in information technologies represents a great and thrilling challenge; may we respond to that challenge with fresh energy and imagination as we seek to share with others the beauty of God.”
We need to be creative and imaginative in how we are reaching out to people in the context of faith.
So, in this section of the Digital Hub we will share tips on getting the most from your social media in a parish and diocesan setting. We will share creative ideas for content creation. We will also be looking at policies for your social media managers, assessing analytics, copyright. We will share how to do Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and have a look at what Tik Tok might have to offer to us as Church.
If there is something you would like us to cover please get in touch by email to [email protected].
Social Media articles and FAQs:
A 10 point checklist for those managing parish and diocesan social media accounts
FAQs
How do I know what social media accounts exist in the name of my parish/diocese?
Should I link my parish Facebook and Twitter accounts?
How do I get more followers on social media?
ENDS
@DigitalHub
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