Question:

Today, social media is an integral part of daily life. While I acknowledge that technology, including social media, can offer benefits, such as spreading beneficial knowledge and maintaining communication, It also has notable harms including negative impacts on sleep and mental health [1], its social impacts lead to loneliness [2]. Social media platforms can be addictive, driven by algorithms designed specifically to increase user engagement [3]. So, people spend more time online and potential neglect more important responsibilities: worship and distraction from family obligations.

Since its addictive nature is becoming more evident, particularly its negative impact on mental health, what do the scholars of Islam say about the use of social media particularly by children and adolescent?

Dr Asam Latif, Research Fellow Nottingham

Yu, D. J., Wing, Y. K., Li, T. M., & Chan, N. Y. (2024). The impact of social media use on sleep and mental health in youth: a scoping review. Current Psychiatry Reports, 26(3), 104-119.

1. Pezzi, M., Corsano, P., Santoro, G., Gori, A., Gámez-Guadix, M., & Musetti, A. (2024). Solitary experience and problematic social media use among young adults: A systematic review with recommendations for future research. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 21(4), 284.
2. Montag, C., Demetrovics, Z., Elhai, J. D., Grant, D., Koning, I., Rumpf, H. J., … & van den Eijnden, R. (2024). Problematic social media use in childhood and adolescence. Addictive behaviors, 107980.

Answer: (Based on the Seven Moral and Spiritual Guidelines provided by Dr Musharraf Hussain and Umar Dacosta.)

1. Recognize Both the Benefits and Harms

Islamic scholars, in general, encourage us to use technology and social media as a tool for good—such as gaining beneficial knowledge, teaching values, and maintaining ties of kinship—while being conscious of its pitfalls. The crux of the matter is balance and intentionality.

• Benefit: Spreading good content, maintaining family ties, and accessing religious resources easily.
• Harm: Addiction, neglect of responsibilities, and exposure to inappropriate material—especially concerning for children whose minds are still developing.

2. Fact-Check and Educate Children

From the Qur’anic principle “when a crooked person brings you news, verify it” (Al-Hujurāt: 6), scholars stress media literacy. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to believing everything they read online.

• Practical Advice: Parents and educators can teach kids to question sources, verify facts, and avoid sharing unverified information. This aligns with the Islamic duty to speak truthfully and avoid falsehood.

3. Maintain Respect and Modesty

Even more so than adults, children can easily slip into mocking, bullying, or name-calling on social media. Islam’s teaching in Al-Hujurāt: 11 tells believers “Let no man make fun of another…” and similarly warns women not to mock others.

• Practical Advice: Encourage teens to communicate in a respectful, compassionate manner online, just as they would in person

4. Avoid Seeking Fame or Online Validation
Social media often fosters a desire for approval and ‘likes.’ The Prophet ﷺ warned against seeking leadership or fame purely for one’s ego (Tirmidhi 1529). This is especially relevant to children, who can tie their self-worth to digital approval.

• Practical Advice: Parents should help children understand the dangers of measuring self-esteem by likes and follows. Instil an understanding that true self-worth comes from character, piety, and service to others, not fleeting social media metrics.

5. Safeguard Mixed Interactions
For adolescents, social media can become a space to engage in private chats and direct messages. Scholars emphasize modesty, cautioning against unnecessarily intimate conversations with the opposite gender.

• Practical Advice: Encourage open family communication and transparency. For instance, young users should feel comfortable discussing their online interactions with parents. Where possible, group chats or supervised environments are safer than one-on-one private messaging.

6. Steer Clear of Controversial or Harmful Content
In a world driven by algorithms that reward shocking or sensational content, children can be lured into moral grey areas.

• Practical Advice: Teach children to avoid online controversies, gossip, or explicit content. Explain that Islam considers simple living and modesty to be forms of faith (Abu Dawud 4161).

7. Assume Good Intentions and Avoid Suspicion
A key teaching for all Muslims is “do not spy, do not envy, do not hate” (Bukhari 6066). Children are especially prone to peer envy, FOMO (fear of missing out), and cyber-bullying.

• Practical Advice: Remind young people that what they see on social media rarely shows the whole story. Cultivate a positive mindset, discouraging judgment or suspicion of others’ posts.

Expert Perspectives & Scholarly Advice for Young Users

• Balance, Boundaries, and Accountability: Many scholars today echo the advice of health experts like Jonathan Haidt and Dr Vivek Murthy, who point to the negative mental health impacts of excessive screen time. Islamic teaching adds an essential spiritual layer: our intention should guide our usage, and time wasted in frivolous pursuits can be spiritually harmful.
• Age-Appropriate Access: Some contemporary Muslim educators propose delaying the introduction of smartphones and social media. Others recommend strong parental oversight, aligning with broader guidelines advising “no social media before age 16” or “no phones in schools,” as has been suggested by mental health professionals. This resonates with Islamic principles of protecting the mind and the soul from harmful influences.
• Moderation: Islam condemns excess in any form, be it food, sleep, or technology. This principle strongly supports the need for parents to set rules around screen time and ensure it does not disrupt Salah (prayer) routines, family obligations, or healthy sleep patterns.
• Mentorship and Role Models: Encourage children to follow reputable Islamic educators and scholars online, rather than random influencers. Young hearts can be guided by beneficial content but also misled by inappropriate role models. Islamic tradition honours trustworthy and knowledgeable mentors, reminding us: “When you don’t know something, then ask those who know” (Al-Nahl: 43).

Conclusion

In summary, scholars of Islam tend to promote responsible and supervised use of social media for children and adolescents. They remind parents and communities to:

1. Instil Strong Values
2. Limit and Monitor Usage
3. Encourage Respectful Online Conduct
4. Protect Children from Predatory or Harmful Content

By weaving in Islamic teachings—guarding the heart, speaking truth, and living modestly—together with practical steps such as parental oversight and balanced guidelines, families can harness the benefits of social media while mitigating its harms.

This Fatwa is written by Dr. Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari