Blog Post #5: Modern Muslim Youth:
The Social Media Takeover
By: Maryam Yousuf, Pre-licensed Professional
There’s something about the rush we get when we see a notification pop up on our phone, or the way we quickly turn our heads every time we hear the phone go off. It’s a developed need to immediately check and see what we received. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and many other platforms are how we keep up with the world. Or is it? Social media is exactly what we make of it. For those who use it to learn, grow, and become better individuals, it can serve as a blessing. For others who mindlessly scroll for hours, compare themselves to others and search for a way to make themselves appear in a better way, it can be an endless black hole. As the Muslim youth and young adults become more avid users of these platforms, the more mental health concerns have increased as a result. Some of these examples include low self-esteem, jealousy, envy, increased anxiety, cyberbullying, and feelings of worthlessness. With no way for us to monitor what our youth are consuming, it has become more critical for us to gain knowledge on how to manage social media, and become aware of its potential effects.
Understanding the Role of Social Media Today
Let’s be honest. In today’s day and age, we consider it strange or peculiar when someone says that they do not have social media. Most of us have access to at least one or more of these platforms and have a number of reasons for why we do. Some of us say it’s to keep in touch with old friends, some of us use it for school and work, some of us use it to find out what the latest trend is, and some of us use it for so many more reasons. So what’s the big deal? Well, social media has an addictive effect. The algorithms are tailored to what we like to see, and hence our five minute break turns into three hours of scrolling without even realizing it. Furthermore, especially for young Muslims today, it can result in many mental health struggles. During this crucial time in their lives, where they are developing as individuals and battling insecurities, seeing people online with unrealistic lives and portrayals contributes to a lower sense of self. Even when we don’t mean it, we can feel jealous of what others have, or appear to have. Regardless, because of how present social media is in our lives today, getting rid of it altogether can seem impractical for some. However, there are ways for us to manage social media usage and our experience with it.
How Should We Use Social Media Mindfully?
- Be mindful of what you consume. Just like eating healthier makes us feel better, using social media is also a form of consumption, or something that we are putting into our minds and hearts. If you know that seeing someone have more than you will make you feel jealous and upset, ask yourself if it’s worth seeing. Could you still be on social media, but look at something that will help you become better instead?
- Set a limit. If you have your phone on you all the time, and your social media apps are a few taps away, identify how often you turn to this. Are you able to control how long you’re on your phone? If not, what are some practical ways for us to cap the amount of time we spend online?
- Avoid letting it be the first and last thing you do everyday. Grabbing your phone as soon as you wake up to check notifications, and falling asleep to mindless scrolling is not the best use of your time. Take the time to decide when you will allow yourself to use social media, so you don’t develop detrimental effects.
- Find Alternatives. If you’re using your phone to check the time or set alarms, what about using a watch or clock instead? Ask yourself why you’re relying on your device, and what you can use in place of it for your daily tasks.
- Filter your social media. You know how people do cleanses to get rid of anything bad in their system and start fresh? You can do this with your social media! Go through the list of people you are following, decide if you are following them for a reason that is helpful and beneficial for you, and step away from that which is not good for you.
Islamic Considerations with Social Media
- Develop Taqwa. When we sit behind a screen, laugh at others, and ridicule them with our anonymous comments, we forget that Allah (SWT) is watching us. Whether it’s the content being watched or something that is being shared, we must be conscious of the fact that our Creator is Aware.
- Remember your character. Yup, you’re still Muslim when you’re online. Be mindful of backbiting, sharing invalid information, speaking poorly about others, using foul language, etc. Your manners, morals, and values are above this.
- Practice modesty. The concept of modesty, or haya, is a large part of our character as Muslims. When you’re using social media, make sure to be respectful of yours and others privacy, do not publicize sins, lower your gaze, and be mindful of interacting with those who are not permissible for you, or non-mahram.
- Use it to your benefit. If we can learn to manage our usage and behaviors with social media, there are a plethora of accounts that offer opportunities for knowledge and self-growth! Whether it be about Islam, or any other permissible knowledge in general, there is certainly a place for healthy and controlled social media usage in our modern lives.
*Disclaimer: I am currently a pre-licensed, Master’s level student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This blog post is purely for awareness and educational purposes only. For further information or clarification, please seek help from a licensed professional, thank you! -Maryam
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