Digital Dominion: Smartphones, Social Media & Jesus

December 3, 2025

Thomas Trimble | 2022

Abstract

Some years ago, I began studying social media and other technologies and their effects on us, our families, our lives, and our communication. We all seemed to embrace social media and technology without thinking critically about it. What became apparent is that most embraced all the changes they brought without questioning whether there were negative consequences. As Neil Postman wrote, “Such enthusiasm always calls to my mind an image of some turn-of-the-century blacksmith who not only sings the praises of the automobile but also believes that his business will be enhanced by it. We know now that his business was not enhanced by it; it was rendered obsolete by it, as perhaps the clearheaded blacksmiths knew. What could they have done?”^[1] This book is an answer to this question: “What should we do to have a balanced, God-honoring approach to digital communication?” Rather than being an exhaustive study, this study is more of an introduction. But I have set out to examine and discuss some of the most critical areas affected by social media and communication technology. These six foci include self-control, theology of communication, anxiety, identity, relationships, and spirituality, and together they are represented by the acronym STAIRS. If we can handle these main areas, I believe we can walk into the future feeling less manipulated, more pleasing to God, more peaceful, more valuable, and more effective.

^[1] Postman, Neil (2011-06-01). Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology (Kindle Locations 165-167). Random House Inc.. Kindle Edition.

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