By McKay Coppins

When Bryce Peterson, a freshman from Portland, Ore., used to log onto Facebook, he didn't think he was doing anything his bishop would disapprove of.

But recently, several BYU bishoprics have cautioned their wards against the dangers of online social networks like Myspace and Facebook, citing inappropriate pictures and Internet relationships as their top concerns.

"I'm cautious of what people feel compelled to put on their (pages)," said Richard Lytle, a bishop who has asked members of his BYU student ward to reconsider their involvement with social networking sites.

Lytle said there have been incidents in which students have posted "very inappropriate" pictures on their Myspace and Facebook accounts.

He also worries about dangerous relationships developing through such Web sites.

"Predators can use social networking websites to network people for less than honorable reasons," Lytle said.

These warnings are not church policy, according to Lytle, and different bishops are saying different things to their wards. Some, like Peterson's bishop, have expressly asked their congregations to stay away from these sites. Others, like Lytle, are simply telling their wards to be "thoughtful" with their online activity.

Student reaction to the counsel has been mixed.

After his bishop issued the warning, Peterson went straight home and deleted his accounts on both Myspace and Facebook. But despite his willingness to obey, he didn't completely understand his bishopric's counsel.

"Obviously I didn't see all the reasons behind it," said Peterson. "Basically I just got rid of it because (my bishop) said so."

Many students see this counsel as a sort of trial of their faith.

"My personal opinion is that it's fine to have (an account) if you're smart with it," said Hunter Schwarz, a freshman from Gilbert, Ariz. "But you should always follow your bishop. At least that's what my bishop tells me."

Still, some diehard Facebookers and Myspacers are fighting to hold on to their digital social circles, despite what their bishops have said.

Arielle Waters, a freshman from Petoskey, Mich. said that her bishop compared the online temptation of Myspace and Facebook to the temptation Eve endured from the serpent in the Garden of Eden.

"I feel like I should be repenting for using Myspace," said Waters. "Which I don't think is a sin."

Some students, including those who have deleted their accounts, are concerned that their bishops are unfamiliar with the Web sites they're counseling against.

"It sounded like (the bishopric) didn't really know exactly what it was, but they had heard that there could be some bad stuff on there," said Peterson.

A knowledge of these Web sites is important for a bishop to effectively caution his ward against the inherent dangers, said Lytle.

"Once I visited a Myspace... I got a sense of what the Web sites are about," Lytle said. "I do think familiarity with the site would be worthwhile."

However, Lytle hasn't visited Facebook and while many bishops don't seem to differentiate between the two sites, students often draw a distinction.

"Myspace is trashier because on Facebook it's mostly kept within the school," said Schwarz. "BYU students aren't going to be putting half naked bathroom mirror pictures up."

Since Peterson deleted his accounts, he said that he hasn't seen any clear results in his spiritual life, but that there have been some definite social benefits.

"I have tons of extra time now," said Peterson. "It's kind of nice not to have to worry about the whole social thing online, too."

Copyright Brigham Young University 20 Jan 2006