Eyiekhrote Vero
We live in a world of digitalization where we value our privacy on the internet. In a world obsessed with data privacy and identity theft—issues that are very common today—there is a quieter, more subtle threat that is shaping our digital lives: integrity theft.
Some might wonder if this is really a big thing. But it is crucial for us to explore what truly is important in our online behavior. Today’s internet culture constantly entices us to water down the ten commandments, forgetting God’s promises, justify questionable actions and live within blurry ethical boundaries online.
This article explores the rise of integrity theft—the erosion of moral values and truth in the online world—and why restoring integrity is as urgent as protecting our personal data.
It happens every day. We are participating in an extraordinary cyber battle over ethics and values. Your trustworthiness, character and even religious beliefs are at stake. Regardless of the relative ease of clicking on a link, your online actions are affecting every area of your life. Beyond stolen passwords and identity, it’s now about compromising an individual’s character and distortion of truth online.
In simple terms, integrity theft is the repeated attraction or temptation of others to do wrong. ‘Integrity theft’ thrives in an online environment where almost anything goes. Many behaviors are encouraged online that are considered taboo in the physical world. Online norms encourage lying, cheating, stealing and many varieties of online lust and manipulation. These online behaviors have become so commonplace that they are even expected from many online users. Small trespasses can have significant and destructive impacts.
Features like “filtering” on websites do not work in a real sense. They are present, but ineffective. Activities such as emailing, chatting on social media, or watching suggestive videos on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram are typically not blocked. On the contrary, all sorts of lustful videos and flirtations are glorified at all times.
This new normal has created a dangerous backdrop for a postmodern culture that is again asking Pilate’s question “What is truth?”. The unwritten moral code in the online space has become “Whatever it takes to get attention”. The truth of the online world is that it does not care about you—it cares about itself: attention, fame, and status.
Integrity theft does not happen in a vacuum. It is fostered by a complex web of technological design, cultural norms, and personal choices. While most online users do not intend to compromise their values, the digital environment is shaped in ways that make it easy—and often rewarding—to do so.
The advancement of Artificial Intelligence has made deception easier: fabricating stories, altering images, and manipulating narratives. What was once the domain of a skilled few is now accessible to the masses, making the temptation to distort truth more widespread than ever.
Digital culture thrives on performance. Many now measure their social significance by the comments or likes on their posts. Online spaces reward image over authenticity, leading individuals to compromise their identity in real life. In this space, self-worth becomes tied to approval, encouraging exaggeration, conformity, and dishonesty.
There is little to no accountability in online interactions, and the line between opinion and fact has grown increasingly blurred. In many cases, truth is no longer something to be sought but something to be managed, manipulated or even ignored.
Perhaps the most sobering reality is that integrity theft often begins with small, seemingly harmless choices: a half-truth shared to save face, a sarcastic comment posted anonymously, or a quiet tolerance of gossip, slander, or cruelty in digital spaces. Over time, these behaviours erode our sense of right and wrong—not because the internet forces us to be dishonest, but because it makes dishonesty easy.
For example, someone may appear to be of good character in real life but be entirely untrustworthy online—sending flirtatious texts, impersonating the opposite gender, engaging in lustful content, or using AI-generated material to blackmail others. Or an innocent looking fellow using ‘curse words’ in online gaming platforms. In a world where almost anything is possible, even victims can lose their integrity.
But the truth of the matter is, no matter who you are, and you have accomplished in life, your cyber sins will eventually find you out. Just as shoplifters who aren’t caught will typically proceed to steal more expensive items, most deceptive surfers foolishly advance to bigger and more harmful online adventures. Only by facing the truth can a new beginning happen.
Many ask, “how can I overcome online sins?” Daniel J Lohrmann, in his book “Virtual Integrity” offers a simple answer: “just do it”. Just stop what you are doing online.
• Re-examine your offline values based on the Scriptures. Compare and contrast your online and offline behaviours. Create a list of guiding values for internet use.
• Pledge not to do anything online that compromises your integrity or offline character.
• Know why you are using the internet or social media. If it’s not bringing any lasting benefit and only wastes your time or compromises your values—why are you still using it?
• Be accountable to God and to your own actions. Develop accountability for your online presence.
As we present ourselves before the world in online spaces, let us echo the words of Mother Teresa: “I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.” Faithfulness matters more than success. Keep in mind the preaching of the famous evangelist C.H. Spurgeon, who said:
“Watch constantly against those things which are thought to be no temptations. The most poisonous serpents are found where the sweetest flower grows. Cleopatra was poisoned by an asp that was brought to her in a basket full of fair flowers.”
Finally, let us remember and pray the prayer Jesus taught us: “Lead us not into temptation”—for as humans, we do not have strength in ourselves. We need the power and the working of the Holy Spirit constantly in our lives to resist temptation. Scripture gives us one key instruction as we battle worldly pleasures: “Flee” (2 Tim 2:22). Long before Paul gave this command, Joseph fled from temptation. Let us, too, continue presenting ourselves as living sacrifices before God, as commanded in Romans 12:1–2, and not conform to the pattern of this world.
Integrity theft may seem small, but it is destructive—just as serious as data breaches. As internet users, we must not only guard our personal information but also guard our character, ensuring that who we are online reflects who we are inside and real life.
(Note: Much of the insight presented here is drawn from Virtual Integrity by Daniel J Lohrmann)
