Access to media and social communications in the home has been a blessing to many, opening grace-filled avenues that have brought families together in various ways.

However, this same access has also brought many harmful elements into the home, destroying families and fostering addictions that lead a person away from God. St. John Paul II wrote about this aspect of the media in his message for the 38th World Communications Day in 2004. He even gave families a guide to help them navigate the complex world of communications. While the address was before the invention of social media and smart phones, his words still contain great wisdom.