This weekend the Roman Catholic church celebrates World Communications Day. This is a day that the church uses to identify how it’s message is distributed across the world and how the media impacts on the world.

During today’s sermon our parish priest touched on a number of points in the Archbishop’s letter to the diocese. However, it was one particular paragraph that really stuck out for me.

The positive use of the internet and social media depends on respectful communication. Respectful communication speaks the truth in charity. If every user of social media spoke the truth in charity, many people, including young people and children, would be happier, safer and better informed.

— 53rd World Communications Day Message

In a time when we’re frequently reminded that social media has so much going against it, we should also note that it’s not social media that is the problem, it’s just how we use it. Using it in a more positive and respectful way would certainly be a good way to start improve online communities.