After the news that Facebook sent user data to a second company, a local professor talks about that data and how we as Christians should approach social media.

On March 16, Facebook announced it was suspending Cambridge Analytica for a potential breach of contract. User data sent by Facebook was not deleted as per the agreement. Many social media users are now wondering where else their data is going and how their privacy is being taken away.

But Dr. Nicholas Greco, Associate Professor of Communications & Media at Providence University College, says there is always information being exchanged online. We just aren't always aware of it.

"Whenever we are using a free online service, we are in fact agreeing that there is going to be an exchange happening," Dr. Greco said. "Generally, it's about the information we have being sold to advertisers."

Dr. Greco says that signing up for these free services and agreeing to their terms means they can send your data legally to other companies, which allows sites like Facebook to continue offering their service for free.

"If we are OK with the idea of our personal information and attention (being shared) in return for services, then that's ok. But most of the time, we aren't aware of that actual exchange going on," Dr. Greco pointed out. "This is not a free exchange."

As Christians, Dr. Greco says we should be media literate and able to decipher between real and fake news.

"Part of our responsibility as Christians is to know what is true and what isn't," he said. "It's really useful for us to understand those differences and be able to promote truth instead of being a part of the fake news problem."

Dr. Greco believes Christian's should continue to be on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. He believes we can promote peace and harmony online, as well as being a force for change.

"(Don't) wait for governments to step in," Dr. Greco stated. "I think, if we can be change makers, that's a great thing."