Another World Communication Day is here; it’s on Sunday, May 21. The World Communication Day established by Pope Paul VI in 1967 is an annual celebration that encourages people to reflect on the opportunities and challenges that the modern day means of social communication (press, radio, television and internet) affords the Church to communicate the gospel message. BETTY AMUKPO in commemoration of the 2023 edition of the global event takes on some children on how the social communication tools have impacted on them positively. She presents their views.
‘I am able to communicate the word of God through WhatsApp’
It has helped me to understand information more accurately and quickly. Poor communication skills leads to frequent misunderstanding. The ability to communicate effectively is a gift from God, to enable us develop good relationships with our fellow humans and create a positive impact and share the word of God’s love with people who may otherwise never hear about Him. Through social tools: – I am able to create awareness about the word of God through WhatsApp. – It has helped in building a standard community with the word of God. The love, care, wisdom of God through the media is an opportunity to us. It has helped bridle my tongue. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).
• Anita Chima
‘It has enabled me to have deeper knowledge of God’
Communication is very important in our daily lives. The ability to communicate is a gift from God to enable us to develop relationships with others. It has educated me to have a better understanding of peoples’ ways of life. Have a deeper knowledge on the word of God and win souls effectively . (Ephesians 4:29,5:19), says God’s word calls us to speak to one another in “Psalms, Hymns and spiritual songs.” Using our words for building up in order that it might give grace to those who hear.
. Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘Social communication has provided me lots of platforms to overcome barriers of distance and time’
It enabled me to see and talk with friends and family, despite the location in the world . Thus, the general saying ‘the world is now a global village.’ Social communication has provided me a lot of platforms to overcome barriers of distance and time, allowing me to connect and reconnect with others thus enabling me to expand and strengthen positive interactions within and outside my immediate environment. In Ephesians 4:29 it is written,” Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” I have a better interest in knowledge and learning.
. Victoria Okefe
‘It has made me to be more careful about being misled or misinformed’
There are various ways by which the tools of social communications have helped me positively. They have become an avenue for me to tell fellow kids and teens about Jesus. (Matt. 28:19-20). It has helped me to be more respectful towards people (Luke 6:38). It has helped me to be more careful because many people may get misled or misinformed with false information (1John 4:1). Tools of social communications can also help everyone positively, if, we use them ethically and responsibly.
• Amaka Martins
‘I learn a lot of good things from platforms such as Google, TikTok, Facebook and You Tube’
Social communication is very important as it helps to build friendships and basic social skills. The Bible also references the importance of social communications in Proverbs 13:30 and Ephesians 4:29-32. One of the main tools of social communication is the social media platform. I would say the use of social media has positively changed my life as I learn a lot of good things from platforms such as, Google, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, everyday.
• Omovon Claire
‘ It has helped me in my academics’
Social communication has helped me positively in terms of how to communicate honourably in the midst of people. It also gives me insight into how to respect people regardless of age and their status because in line with the Book of Ephesians 4:15 which reads: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” It has helped me in my academics.
• Eyinade Gideon
‘Social communication tools have boosted my intellect and sharing of ideas’
As a Catholic child, the social communication tools have helped me positively in boosting my intellect and sharing ideas through writing. Essays are sent through social communication tool. Proverbs 25:11 describes ideas as gold set in silver. This is the reason God thrusted into man, the wisdom of invention.
• Obhakhan Ohin
