Impact of Social Media on Muslim Youth – Winning Essay from the 18th (2024) CMO International Youth Essay Competition

In her insightful essay, Impact of Social Media on Muslim Youth, Zainab Suleiman Ahmed, a JSS 1 student at Al-Areeb School, secured second place in Category B of the 18th (2024) CMO International Youth Essay Competition. Ahmed explores the multifaceted effects of social media on Muslim youth, highlighting both positive and negative impacts. Drawing from Qur’anic teachings and Hadith, she emphasizes the importance of mindful engagement with social media, the value of seeking knowledge, and the need for critical thinking to mitigate its harmful effects.

Introduction:
In today’s world, technology plays a significant role in almost every aspect of our lives, making communication, transportation, and production easier. One of the most notable technological breakthroughs is social media, which has immensely helped in passing ideas, knowledge, skills, and other related matters across. From an Islamic perspective, there are measures by which the impacts or effects of social media can be assessed. But first, what is social media? Social media refers to the means of interaction among people in which they create, shape, and exchange information and ideas within virtual communities and networks. The managers of these platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, among others.

In every society, youth are often the target of both moral and immoral influences. While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of the youth age group, the United Nations defines youth as those between the ages of 15 and 25. In this context, social media has numerous positive and negative impacts on a Muslim child. Some of the positive impacts include:

1. Breaking Distance Barriers for Knowledge Seeking: Allah says in Surah Luqman (verse 20), “He has subjected everything for man’s use,” and social media is no exception. It helps to bridge the distance gap in accessing valuable knowledge, making learning easier.

2. Ease in Connecting Ties: Social media facilitates maintaining connections with family and friends, in line with Allah’s teaching in Surah Al-Baqarah (verse 185): “Allah wants ease on you all and does not want hardship.” Social media serves as a tool to keep in touch with loved ones.

3. Reducing Spending for Movements: As goods are advertised and shared across various social groups, with addresses or even home delivery, social media helps to minimize spending on transportation. This is supported by Allah’s guidance in Surah Al-Isra (verses 26-27): “Do not spend wastefully, indeed the wasteful are brothers of the devils.”

4. Enhancing Fast Responses to Emergencies:Social media allows for quick sharing of information during emergencies, such as spreading the photos of missing persons. Allah says in Surah Al-Maidah (verse 32): “Whoever saves a soul is as if he has saved the whole of mankind.”

5. Ease in Problem Solving: For those who lack knowledge on certain matters, social media provides an opportunity to seek help. Allah says in Surah An-Nahl (verse 43) and Surah Al-Anbiya (verse 7): “Ask the knowledgeable ones if you don’t know.”

Moreover, social media has made it easier for Muslim youth to access Islamic knowledge and connect with scholars. Through online discussions, live-streamed lectures, and engaging in religious debates, Muslim youth can deepen their understanding of Islam and seize new learning opportunities. As the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Seeking knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim male and female, even if it takes them as far as China.” Social media helps eliminate the barriers of distance, making this pursuit of knowledge more accessible.

The Qur’an also speaks about the importance of consultation, as mentioned in Surah Ash-Shura (verse 38): “And those who have responded to their lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves.” Social media serves as a platform for people to share ideas and consult one another, contributing to intellectual and spiritual growth.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges and negative impacts of social media. These include exposure to negative influences, cyberbullying, misinformation, Islamophobia, discrimination, and harmful content. These issues can have detrimental effects on the mental health and well-being of Muslim youth.

In conclusion, social media has a profound impact both positive and negative on Muslim youth. While it provides opportunities for connection, learning, and empowerment, it is important for Muslim youth to navigate social media mindfully. They should seek reliable sources, engage in constructive conversations, and avoid the negative aspects of social media. Practicing digital literacy, critical thinking, and maintaining a balance between online and offline activities are essential for ensuring that social media remains a tool for good.

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