Navigating the Online World as a Catholic. The Virtual Armor of God.

Let’s face it, a lot of the world is online these days. Some good. Some bad. It is easy to get distracted by all the bells and whistles. This is made worse by the intense focus of algorithms and Artificial Intelligence working in the background trying to get your attention. Obviously, the best method of defense is to pray for discernment and wisdom. However, these devices monitor our behavior very closely. As Catholics we need to make our devices more secure, not just from the apps but from the threat of spiritual warfare.

It is all to easy to get distracted online and end up down a ‘rabbit-hole’. This is due to Algorithms and AI learning all about us. This can be useful for shopping suggestions, but it also exploits our weaknesses. We might have no intention of buying new shoes. We might not have gone online to read the latest celebrity gossip. However, the apps hold a lot of data about you. They know when you look at them, how long you are online and what type of advertisement or articles you click on.

You know you went online for a reason, but do you sometimes forget why you went online? This is why we need to stay focused. Not only for our internet and electricity bills, but also to protect ourselves from temptations, which are threats to our standing with God.

When going online, there are a few simple methods, which can be used to keep Faith on our minds. Let’s think of it as putting on the Virtual Armor of God.

Location: Where is your PC located? Is it in an isolated room or your attic. People working from home may have no choice. However, if you are in a room alone, you may be more open to temptation. Maybe place that PC somewhere more open. Or even just leave the room door or window open so you can still hear the noises of your family, flatmates, or even the birds outside.

Environment: What is the area where you go online like? Is it a cold office or attic with all business notes and post it notes on your screen? Remember, the webcam can only see in one direction. Behind the screen there can be anything you want. You could have a Crucifix or a Sacred Heart of Jesus on the wall facing you. Or even a small religious calendar. So, whenever you look up, even for a second you are reminded of the Faith.

Lock Screens: There are lots of useful methods of reinforcing your Catholicism using your lock screen. How about using a Church Logo, or a Picture of a Saint, or even a Prayer. Then your Lock screen password, could be a simple phrase like ‘Jesus is Love’

Wallpaper: For your home PC the wallpaper could be a photo of art from the Vatican or some nice religious monuments or statues.

You haven’t even opened your browser yet, and you have already seen three or four Christian reminders.

Usernames: When you are coming up with a username for your X or BlueSky or other social media, maybe use a Catholic one. It could be the name of a Saint or a Bible verse. For example: ‘StFrancis123’ or ‘Luke21.9’. Typing this in, or even seeing pop up on your autofill, will remind you of your Catholicism.

Passwords: These are a bit trickier, but none the less adaptable. They require a regular letter, a capital letter, numbers and sometimes a special symbol. So, you could have ‘GodisGreat!2025’

The online world is difficult to navigate at the best of times. When netizens are not focused or influenced by Algorithms, they can accidentally follow a trail of nonsense. At best they will have just wasted a half an hour. At worst they could receive a delivery of useless gadgets from an online shop. The most tragic consequence of wasting time online is that it is time not spent with friends, family or meditating on Gods great creation. So, the next time you are online, try to adapt some of the Virtual Armor of God and let these little reminders keep you out of temptation.