Read: How social media algorithms are flattening culture
What decisions should be made by algorithms?
What can you do about it?
Students can contrast a society characterised by love and relationships against a society that is becoming characterised by the products of data and algorithms. For instance, the growing dominance of large companies such as Amazon and Google, which use manipulative methods to gain control, wealth, and power; and a society where interactions are with robots, for instance, the increased usage of computerised phone conversations and supermarket machine “service.”
Students sometimes respond to issues raised with, “There is nothing we can do about it.” However, by telling the biblical story that involves living in obedience to God, Biblical wisdom, and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, they can see how their actions matter and can be used by God for His purposes. For instance, enforcing personal boundaries around how they share digital information; not idolising phones (rendering them powerless); and advocating for the “weak” (less educated) in society to protect them from harm.
Teach me your way, Lord,
Psalm 86:11
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.