The Catholic Clickbait Culture
"It is one of the evils of rapid diffusion of news that the sorrows of all the world come to us every morning. I think each village was meant to feel pity for its own sick and poor whom it can help and I doubt if it is the duty of any private person to fix his mind on ills which he cannot help. (This may even become an escape from the works of charity we really can do to those we know). A great many people do now seem to think that the mere state of being worried is in itself meritorious. I don’t think it is. We must, if it so happens, give our lives for others: but even while we’re doing it, I think we’re meant to enjoy Our Lord and, in Him, our friends, our food, our sleep, your jokes, and the birds song and the frosty sunrise." CS Lewis
C.S. Lewis’ reflection on the “rapid diffusion of news” strikes a nerve in our age of endless digital noise, where the relentless flood of information often feels like a trap.
Today, it’s not just the news but the culture of clickbait—headlines crafted to provoke outrage, fear, or curiosity—that consumes our attention. Social media and online platforms thrive on this, keeping us in a reactive state, convincing us that being perpetually informed or outraged is a moral good. Yet Lewis’ insight reveals the deeper danger: this fixation not only exhausts us but distracts us from the quiet, tangible work of loving those nearest to us and growing in holiness. Instead of being a means of virtue, this addiction to noise becomes a barrier to it.
While engagement with these issues can sometimes be a form of informed faith and even evangelization, it often devolves into something far less fruitful. The question we must ask ourselves is this: does this constant exposure to the “noise” of Catholic social media deepen our faith, or does it distract us from the call to holiness?
The Danger of Endless Banter
St. Paul warns us in his letter to Timothy: “[…] guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21, NRSV). Social media, with its constant stream of commentary, often resembles the very “irreverent babble” Paul describes. Many Catholics spend hours dissecting the latest papal statement, critiquing bishops, or debating every word uttered by prominent Catholic influencers. While some of this discussion can be thoughtful and even edifying, it often becomes an occasion for pride, division, and distraction.
The danger here is twofold. First, it fosters a spirit of suspicion and hyper-criticism toward the Church hierarchy, undermining the unity that Christ himself prayed for in John 17:21: “that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Instead of focusing on how to build up the Church, we become preoccupied with tearing down those we perceive as flawed or insufficiently faithful.
Second, it leads to spiritual exhaustion. Just as Lewis cautioned against fixing our minds on “ills which we cannot help,” Catholics can easily fall into the trap of obsessing over ecclesial controversies that are far beyond their control. This constant focus on controversy and division robs us of peace and distracts us from the personal call to holiness in our own lives.
The Illusion of Engagement
One of the most dangerous aspects of Catholic social media noise is that it gives the illusion of meaningful engagement with the faith. By retweeting a critique of a bishop or commenting on a trending theological debate, we may feel as though we are contributing to the life of the Church. But is this the true engagement Christ calls us to?
Jesus’ command was clear: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Making disciples requires personal relationship, sacrifice, and genuine love—not endless digital commentary. The time we spend scrolling through Catholic social media could be spent evangelizing in our local communities, serving the poor, or deepening our prayer lives. Yet, how often do we choose the comfort of online debates over the hard work of real-life discipleship?
A Spirit of Division
The culture of Catholic social media often fosters a divisive and combative spirit. As St. Paul writes in Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Tragically, these works of the flesh are often on full display in Catholic social media spaces. We see Catholics tearing each other down, accusing one another of heresy, and engaging in petty arguments over liturgical preferences or theological nuances.
This spirit of division is opposed to the Gospel. In John 13:35, Jesus tells us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When Catholics engage in public squabbles and personal attacks online, it not only harms the Body of Christ but also damages our witness to the world.
The Call to Silence and Simplicity
Lewis’ words invite us to reconsider where we are focusing our attention. Instead of fixating on the noise of Catholic social media, he reminds us to turn our gaze to the simple and beautiful gifts of God’s presence in our daily lives. As he writes, “I think we’re meant to enjoy Our Lord and, in Him, our friends, our food, our sleep, your jokes, and the birds’ song and the frosty sunrise.”
In the same way, Catholics today are called to step back from the noise and embrace a spirit of silence and simplicity. This does not mean disengaging from the Church or ignoring important issues, but it does mean prioritizing what truly matters: our relationship with God, our families, and our communities. It means cultivating a life of prayer and service rather than endlessly scrolling through debates that do little to foster holiness.
Breaking Free
Limit Screen Time: Set strict boundaries on how much time you spend on social media, especially on platforms that tend to fuel controversy. Consider taking periodic breaks to refocus on your spiritual life.
Discern Your Sources: Follow accounts and individuals who inspire you to grow in faith and holiness, rather than those who thrive on controversy and division.
Focus on Local Evangelization: Instead of debating or engaging Catholic personalities online, ask yourself how you can serve and evangelize within your parish or local community.
Prioritize Prayer: Dedicate time each day to silent prayer, Scripture meditation (Lectio Divina), or Eucharistic adoration. Let God’s voice be louder than the noise of the world.
Foster Charity: Before engaging in any online discussion, ask yourself: “Will this contribute to the unity and edification of the Church?” If not, it may be better to remain silent.
A Closing Thought
The Church does not need more digital critics; it needs more saints. Saints are not formed in the noise of online debates but in the quiet of prayer, the simplicity of daily life, and the humility of service. By stepping away from the constant bantering of Catholic social media and focusing instead on the work of holiness, we can become the kind of disciples who truly transform the Church and the world.
Let us take to heart the words of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who reminds us, “My vocation is love!” Love, not noise, is the greatest contribution we can make to the Body of Christ.
Excellent and timely!
Erg! Guilty.