Matzav Inbox: The Agudah Convention WhatsApp Discussion – What’s the Result?

Dear Matzav Inbox,

I appreciated watching the Agudah Convention session two nights ago on “Social Media and the World of WhatsApp: How Do We Win the Battle?” Rabbi Moshe Rotberg, Rav of K’hal Zichron Yechezkel, and Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Gedola Ohr Yitzchak and author of Olam Hamiddos, spoke with such clarity and urgency about the dangers of social media, WhatsApp groups, and the negative impact they have on our precious communities. Their words, undoubtedly, struck a chord and resonated deeply with all who were listening (or watching, as in my case).

But I cannot help but feel a deep sense of frustration and disappointment. It’s one thing to sit in a room (or at a computer), nod our heads in agreement, and hear the many poignant points made about the toxicity of these platforms, but what about the next step? If, after all the enlightening discussions, not one person has actually made the decision to leave social media, remove themselves from problematic WhatsApp groups, or even give up their phones altogether, then what exactly was the point of it all?

I’ve been to countless lectures, sessions, and shiurim that tell us about the dangers, but I have yet to see anyone actually act on it. When are we going to stop merely talking about the problems and start doing something real? It’s so easy to sit back and nod in agreement, but we have to look ourselves in the mirror and ask: What are we actually doing?

How many more Agudah Convention sessions do we need to attend to truly take action? How many more times will we hear the warning that social media, WhatsApp groups, and other platforms are damaging our lives, our marriages, and our children, before we decide that enough is enough? What’s the point of gathering hundreds of people in a room to discuss this problem if, by the end of the session, everyone simply goes back to their phones, their social media accounts, and their same old habits?

The truth is that these platforms are like a slow, silent poison. They might not seem like much at first, but over time, they destroy the very fabric of our homes and our marriages.

Chazal tell us that one must flee from something that harms them—even if it seems harmless at first. So how is it that we can sit there, hearing all the warnings, and still continue with business as usual? How long can we pretend that we are immune to the dangers of these digital distractions?

I understand that it’s hard. I’m not suggesting that it’s easy to walk away from the convenience and the connections that some of these things provide. But isn’t it time we stop making excuses?

It’s not enough to simply discuss the issues at length; we must do something about it. Each of us must look at our own behavior, our own reliance on these platforms, and ask ourselves: Is this in line with the derech we claim to uphold? Is this how we want to be remembered after 120?

I cannot be the only one who feels this way. We must do more than just hear these speeches—we must make meaningful, drastic changes in our lives. Hashem gives us the tools to fight this battle, but we have to choose to use them. If we don’t take real action now, we will look back years from now and regret not having done anything when we had the chance.

Let’s stop talking and start acting. Let’s prove that we are serious about protecting our families and our communities. If we are truly concerned about the future of our children, the sanctity of our homes, and the preservation of our values, we must take decisive action and remove the threats in our own lives, one step at a time.

Sincerely,

A Fellow Yid

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