Church Social Media Chat Prep: How Do Anonymous Sharing Platforms Fit With Digital Ministry?

If the digital platform renders communication anonymous or makes it disappear within seconds, is it -- can it -- be considered a form of social media?

If we agree that social media are web-based tools for interaction, then platforms like Secret, Whisper, YikYak, and Snapchat qualify as social media.

And how about within the context of digital ministry, where we use social media to build, engage, and support community? Do anonymous messaging platforms have a place? Do they have any value? Are they "synonymous with ominous"?

For sure they should not be ignored, nor can the emerging concept of an "anonymous social network." [Anonymous social network? Is that anything like jumbo shrimp? Read more at Anonyming, especially this description of Anonymous Social Networks.]

Join the #ChSocM chat community on Tuesday, 5/13 at 9:00 PM ET to explore these platforms and the issues they raise.

Learn more about these platforms:

• Read more about rationale for building Secret here.
• Read a comparison of Whisper and Secret here and here.
• Read more about how YikYak created geo-fences around middle and high schools here.

Chat will be moderated by Meredith Gould (@meredithgould)