Social media as a space for dialogue on spiritual values: Challenges and opportunities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/1992-6464-2026-220-39-47Keywords:
social networks, online discussions about spiritual values, spiritual values, intercultural dialogue, destructive practices in social networks, content moderation, verbal aggression in social networks, digital literacy in the field of spiritual valuesAbstract
This article examines the role of digital platforms in disseminating and discussing spiritual values in the era of rapid digitalization. The relevance of this study stems from fundamental changes in value transmission mechanisms: traditional channels are giving way to digital ones, and social media is becoming a key platform for intercultural and interreligious dialogue. In the context of technological transformation, it is especially important to understand how the virtual environment influences the understanding and dissemination of spiritual values.
This study aims to comprehensively analyze the ambivalent impact of social media in the context of discussions about spiritual values. To this end, the study seeks to: identify the key opportunities of social media for spiritual dialogue; identify the main risks of the digital environment; consider the issues of legal and ethical regulation of content. The article analyzes the potential of social media, including overcoming geographical and temporal barriers, accessibility of expert knowledge, diversity of communication formats, and the formation of thematic communities. The risks of the digital environment are also examined: discourse fragmentation, the priority of emotional content, manipulation and disinformation, the dissemination of pseudo-spiritual teachings, anonymity, and trolling. Particular attention is paid to issues of legal and ethical regulation of social media content when considering the transmission of experience in the assimilation of spiritual values.
The study’s methodological framework comprises an analysis of legislation, a review of current research, and an analysis of the author’s own experience of content moderation on the VKontakte social network.
The results demonstrate the ambivalence of social media as a tool. On the one hand, when used correctly, platforms can strengthen spiritual values and promote intercultural understanding. On the other hand, without proper regulation, they carry the risk of escalating conflicts and distorting meanings.
In conclusion, the author emphasizes the need to develop flexible regulatory mechanisms that take into account the multicultural context, to promote digital literacy in the spiritual sphere, and to create an infrastructure for respectful intercultural dialogue. The findings can be used to improve content moderation policies on social media. They may also inform the development of educational programs on digital ethics and facilitate a culture of online discussions about spiritual values.
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