8 Basic and Small Catholic Networking Techniques - 8 Ideas for Social Networking with Catholics

1st technique: The magic number one hundred and fifty

In his book, "The Tipping Point", Malcolm Gladwell mentions about the "social channel capacity" - an observation made by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar. According to this study, the number 150 seems to represent the maximum number of individuals with whom we can have a good social relationship - the kind of relationship that goes with knowing who they are and how they relate to us. Given this statistic, quality social networking online would also make sense if kept within this maximum number of friends.

2nd technique: The magic of altruism on the Web

Networking is an altruistic activity. Catholics can be effective in social networking online if they have a platform for giving on the Web. One platform which can be used is a Catholic blog or a small Catholic web site. With a Catholic blog and site from which Catholics can be altruistic, networking at this level would be at its most integrated, complete and comprehensive sense.

3rd technique: Networking with Catholics loyal to the papacy

The Church is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. So that Catholics may not be led astray online, it is good to network with other Catholics loyal to the papacy. Networking with conservative Catholics helps one's mind to "think with the Church". A good site to begin a small Catholic social network is Vatican Friends (www.vaticanfriends.com).

4th technique: Networking "from the roots"

Our Catholic faith began and was nurtured in the cradle of the family. Together with the family, Catholic institutions also helped shape our consciences, formed our values, and geared us with an education that guides us in discerning our direction in life. A good source for starting a basic and small Catholic social network in this sense is Facebook.com. At Facebook, you can easily locate your family, relatives, and also your classmates in the Catholic schools you attended or graduated from.

5th technique: Keep your social network profile private

For security reasons, it is best to keep all your social network profiles and activities private. As John Paul II states in his Message on the internet, the internet is indeed full of promise, but it is also a very dangerous environment. Network with people you know, or whose educational background is the same as yours. Know also where they come from. And if it is possible, try to keep a "low" profile online. This protects you from being an easy target of ill-intentioned persons.

6th technique: Networking with cost-effective systems

It is normal to be carried away at times with the many attractive features of social networking: link-sharing, photo sharing, updates on 'what are you doing?', and engaging in many games and other third-party applications that promote a culture of friendship and kindly exchanges. Let us however not forget the purpose of engaging in social networking online. Knowing our objective and purpose will help us create cost-effective systems in social networking online.

7th technique: Keeping up-to-date with the Church on the internet

Aside from the Catholic news sites which we can visit and revisit daily, we can update ourselves on what the Church officially says about the internet and other forms of media. Every year the Church publishes a Message on January 24 for the celebration of World Communications Day. This Message is meant for the Sunday before Pentecost Sunday. The Message helps Catholics become aware of how the Church judges positively and negatively the effects of internet and the media on the individual, the family, certain sectors of society, and humanity as a whole. It would be good to search for this document at the Vatican site (www.vatican.va) and bookmark it for review.

8th technique: Build your network at a conservative pace

Gradually build your Catholic social network. This can ensure a spirit of stability and permanence. Avoid a spirit of haste and negligence. If something doesn't feel right, or when you are in doubt, trust your gut and instincts. Be sensitive to what your conscience is telling you. When something arises that goes against what your conscience tells you, avoid it. Never, never forget your primary relationship with God who is the Source and Giver of all these 'gifts of media'.

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Dennis Emmanuel Cabrera
Web Developer Methods for Catholics
www.c-web-developer.net
My Main Catholic Blog
www.c-internet-mission.net