The net generation, spirituality and social networking sites : implications for youth ministry

Abstract

Few studies bring together the areas of spirituality and social networking sites. With this aim in mind, this study explores the spirituality and use of social networking sites of 18-25 year old Maltese students at the Malta College of Arts Science and Technology and the University of Malta. In order to achieve a more holistic understanding of the area, a triangulation methodology was used consisting of an online questionnaire (N=713) and 26 semi-structured interviews. A high social networking site use, mainly as a means of keeping in touch, was found amongst students. The study reveals that the spirituality of these young people, the majority of whom still declare themselves Catholic, is becoming even more personalised. These young students find less in the institutional Church their spiritual home and their spirituality is shifting on to a midi-narrative spirituality, enforced by social networking sites. Spiritual identity was higher in those using social networking sites on a regular basis, with those using them several times a day showing a lower spirituality, and at times signs of addiction. We propose that in this context, youth ministry takes a dialectical approach proposing encounter, personhood, silence, meta-narratives and community, typical of Christian spirituality.