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Salesian Guidelines for use of the social media: How to be present in the digital world?

By Our Own Correspondent

EAO, 18 October 2016 -- In most of the 220+ Salesian communities of the 22 countries in the EAO region there is already a reasonably good access to the internet. In the same time good number of the superiors need to tackle the issue of wise use and presence in the social media world.

Fr Filiberto González, shares in the 2016 September issue of the Italian Salesian Bulletin an article ‘Internet non è un nemico’ (Internet is not an enemy). In this interview the General Councilor for the Social Communication shares his convictions about the impact of social media in the family, in the education and put them in the context of the preventive system of Don Bosco.

Upon the request of many provincials also the recent Acts of the General Council (n. 423, September 2016) brings in the Orientations and Directives ‘Our presence in Social Networks’. After a brief introduction are offered basic guidelines about:

1. our presence in social networks (accountability),
2. communication of content,
3. respectful relations in the media,
4. problems and confidentiality and
5. security, right and obligation.

Some provinces worked out their own Guidelines for the use of the social media, like the FIS, Philippines Southern Province. In few pages any confrere can get a reasonably good insight about the digital information technology and social media dynamics: about increasing visibility; establishing and strengthening of the community and enhancing respect and responsibility.

Some general guidelines are offered to the Salesians and their Lay Mission Partners:

1. Not all messengers are equal,
2. Not all recipients are ‘equal’
3. Positive and practical hints about the use of social media.

And finally after some recommendation for the personal use of social media are introduced also the guidelines for the FIS provincial office. As conclusion of this 5 page document follows a suggestion for the provincial Decalogue of the social media use.

We hope these simple guidelines will help our young and not-so-young confreres to be present with more confidence in this digital playground where more and more of our young people spend every day many hours.

Related article:

FIN

Related resources:

Guidelines for the social media, SDB 2016

Article of Fr Filiberto - Salesian Bulletin, ITA

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