The Double-Edged Sword of Social Media
Balancing praise and criticism with Stephen Stanley
Christian music artist, Stephen Stanley’s journey into the music industry ties closely to social media, a platform that has both boosted his career and presented significant challenges. He talked to us about the highs and lows of being a Christian artist on social media, sharing lessons he’s learned, and how his trust in God helps him traverse this complex landscape.
Stephen’s relationship with social media began as a practical necessity but quickly became a powerful tool for connecting with fans worldwide. “When I started in 2020, it wasn’t on purpose. Someone at the label had emailed…and they were like, ‘Hey, you should try some live streaming, try TikTok, and some different things,’” Stephen explained. He began to explore TikTok, where the covers he posted quickly gained traction.
His first post was a cover of “Easy” by the Commodores, followed by “Holy Water” with the Kingdom, which went viral. “That one blew up. And I was like, ‘What is this? This is so strange,’” Stephen recalled, reflecting on how quickly things took off. For the next year, Stephen consistently posted covers twice a week, building a dedicated following and using social media as a place to share his music and message with a broader audience.
While social media has opened many doors for Stephen, it hasn’t come without its challenges. “Social media is like a hot and cold thing. Sometimes it’s awesome and then sometimes it’s not awesome,” he admitted. The same platform that gave him so much exposure also brought the harsh realities of online criticism and negativity.
“Social media can create some mental health issues too. No matter what level you’re at, you’re always comparing yourself to other people,” he said. Stephen shared a particularly difficult experience when one of his videos received an overwhelming amount of negative comments. “I saw one of the videos I posted was just getting like tons and tons of comments, like 300 or 400 comments. And it was just all just terrible. People were attacking me, attacking my mom and my wife,” Stephen said, describing how hurtful and unexpected the situation was. He found the sudden onslaught of negativity a stark reminder of the darker side of social media, where anonymity can embolden people to say things they would never say in person.
Staying Grounded
Despite these challenges, Stephen remains grounded in his faith, which serves as his anchor in the tumultuous world of social media. Reflecting on his experiences, he shared a powerful perspective: “I was bullied growing up. Those people need something that they don’t have. Hurt people, hurt people. And that’s kind of how you have to see social media.
No matter what bad thing happens on there, you always have to keep a level head, stay humble and not let people get to you.”
Negativity often stems from others’ pain, rather than being a reflection of their own worth or work.
Stephen recognizes the value of the platform offers him in reaching people he might never meet otherwise. “You get to meet people too, that you never thought you’d meet—people in Australia or other parts of the world. So it is great too. It’s just a double-edged sword,” he acknowledged. By focusing on the good that can come from these connections, Stephen is able to balance the negative aspects of social media with the opportunities it provides.
Navigating social media as a Christian is a complex and often challenging journey. While the platform can be a powerful tool for connection and ministry, it also requires resilience and a strong relationship with God to withstand the inevitable negativity.
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