VIRTUAL WORLD AND REALITY

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY TAKES ON REAL COMMUNITY

And then many instances I took place to see a kid taking his mother to buy for him a “tablet”, that is, a mobile computer with touch screen display, circuitry, and battery in a single unit. So many instances I witness a student in high school or college using their cellular phones not in the proper place and time.  While teachers are seriously discussing, students at the back doing “selfies” which are utterly irrelevant to the discourses.  With due respect to the companies, cellular phones and tablets must be applied with great responsibility and concern.

Social media by its intent and use, have nothing but convenience. Not to the extent of abusing its use, but with responsibility and proper instruction to the many. For some, the virtual world is not of great importance. People with practical concerns take this not seriously unless they deliver business transactions. The bottom line here is that people nowadays are living in a virtual world that even the least in the society are aware and familiar with the “techy” thing or gadgets like i.e. cellular phones or tablets or computers.

Virtual communication is maybe the yearning of every soul in today’s universe. For drawing the best out of it is the product of everyday inventions and innovations done worldwide. Throughout the years, the said virtual communication made communication possible. Its implications for people are tantamount to a milestones of information and ideas relevant to one’s living. Time and energy may spend, but the process of communicating is worthwhile for the majority. Yes, it is time-consuming to those single-handedly experiencing the network page or the internet world. Merely, for those who are good with this technology are relaying the message with ease and assurance.

In this virtual world, we must not forget that it has its own values and purpose. Abuse must be the sole enemy of a virtual world or communication. People put up easily do uncharacteristic behavior on the internet. We must avoid and aware of this pressing issue otherwise we will become a dupe of some kind. In some schools, particularly in Cebu, there are students who failed to graduate from high school or in college because of the discovered uncharacteristic behavior in the net i.e. social networking site. Youth or students of today are the number one victim of this. Yes, they are very adept in this virtual world and most of the times they are betrayed by it. Some instances propose that there are also abuses done by someone in the virtual world by simply posting offended words to others or cyber bullying as they named it. This is also rampant and need to reflect upon by us who are also followers of this virtual world or communication.

Does the main goal of virtual communication defeat its purpose because of this abusive acts of individuals?

This question perhaps we ask because of the fact that we have experienced in today’s world. But the issue can be solved if proper education is observed and taught by those who are responsible in the virtual world. The Church is inviting lay faithful and ordained ministers to make use of the virtual communication with great responsibility and education. It is very proper not to make its abuses otherwise the purpose of virtual world will be forfeited or defeated. Experts have good vision and mission why they created virtual communication. The problem lies on how people use or develop such avenue of communication. The Church sees that virtual community can also be a real community given the fact that the preachers can evangelize others through the use of internet or social networking sites. It is easy for them to write or post their reflection in the net so that others could see and read what they want to preach in the virtual world. In this regard, many people have responded to do such thing to others and even to the least brothers and sisters in the society. But, then again, proper education and with sense of responsibility are to be taught by responsible individuals.

The theme of this blog is “youth evangelizaton”. As future minister of God, it is a challenge for me to evangelize the youth of today bringing along the advantage of the virtual communication into their lives as well as the disadvantage. It’s again a matter of educating them. Youth have become the epitome of an ideal society. But this society must be founded with good values. All of us are aware that virtual communication is very relevant sometimes in this radical society. The world today needs evangelization. Youth have a very important role in virtual communication where its purpose is always for the betterment of the many. Above all, the role of parents in this trending digital communication is very huge. Dialogue with children is very urgent. In the family, parents must know their roles. In this virtual communication, dialogue with them is very important. It is then that they can inculcate values to them. Hence, real community exists due to constant dialogue with youth, with children, and with people in this trending digital world. 

Here is a video clip about "virtual communication" and its usefulness in the virtual communities....