The Westen Sümi Akukuhou Kuqhakuku (WSBAK) on Monday organised a Shepherd Revival Cum Bible Talk at Sümi Baptist Church, Diphupar, Chümoukedima, focusing on the theme “Judicious Use of Social Media.” Around 547 believers from Sümi churches participated in the programme.
Guest speaker Vitoka K Aye, MA, LLB, freelance journalist and social media influencer, highlighted both the opportunities and risks associated with digital platforms. Quoting Dave Willis, he said, “Don’t use social media to impress people; use it to impact people,” urging users to prioritise meaningful engagement over superficial online activity.
Aye said social media offers vast outreach, citing estimates of 5.79 billion users globally as of April 2026. He noted high engagement among Gen Z users across platforms, including YouTube at 91 percent, Instagram at 86 percent, and Facebook between 70 and 80 percent. He also referenced global user bases such as WhatsApp and Facebook at around 3 billion each, and YouTube at up to 2.8 billion.
Cautioning against misuse, he said privacy safeguards on social platforms remain limited and advised that sensitive issues be handled through direct consultation rather than public online forums. He further urged church leaders to exercise restraint in public digital communication and safeguard institutional integrity.
On legal aspects, Aye cited provisions under the Information Technology Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code, including defamation (Sections 499–500) and statements promoting enmity (Section 505), warning that forwarding objectionable content may attract legal consequences.
He also cited examples of positive digital engagement, including fundraising initiatives by the Sümi Discussion Forum (SDF), which raised Rs 2.71 lakh for a patient in Guwahati, Rs 56,000 during the COVID-19 period, and Rs 1 lakh for a clean election campaign in 2017.
Aye encouraged responsible digital behaviour, stating that “assumptions are a shortcut to misunderstanding,” and urged believers to use technology to strengthen relationships and promote Christian values.
MT
