The Church of England will issue a set of social media commandments to combat "cynicism and abuse" online.
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, will
outline them on Monday in a live video message from Facebook's British
headquarters.
He will encourage users
to follow 10 "community guidelines" in a digital charter drawn up to
reflect Christian values.
People will be able to
pledge to abide by them by posting a link on social media.
The guidance acknowledges
that social media provides "many joys", such as its "immediate,
interactive, conversational and open-ended" platform.
But it says there can be
"downsides" if users "do not apply the same common sense,
kindness and sound judgment which we would use in a face-to-face
encounter".
One
of the commandments mirrors Christianity's "golden rule" by urging
followers to speak to others online as you would speak to them in person.
Another
warns people to remember they may be held accountable for posts that could
remain online forever.
In
a plea for kindness, the rules also encourage users to give credit if citing or
sharing the work of others.
The
Church hopes the digital charter will be "a resource for Christians,
people of other faiths and people of no faith".
Mr Welby said: "Social media has
transformed the way we live our lives.
"Each
time we interact online we have the opportunity either to add to currents of
cynicism and abuse or to choose instead to share light and grace."
Source: The
telegraph