The Digital Whirlwind: How Not to Lose Oneself in the World of Social Media
It is hard to imagine the modern world without the internet, instant messaging apps and social media.
A young person who does not use the internet or is not registered on social media is the exception rather than the rule. Such people, unfortunately, may even be considered out of touch.
I remember back when everyone had push-button phones, one university professor, tired of warning students to turn off their phones during class, exclaimed, “Did you know it is fashionable to go around without a phone?” What would he say today, when even elementary school students carry cell phones and surf the web?
Over the past ten to fifteen years, the lives of many people, especially youth and teenagers, have gradually migrated online. They post virtually everything that happens in their lives online, often embellishing certain aspects. It is worth noting that nowadays the older generation is not far behind.
However, everyone who uses the internet needs to know that search engines, instant messaging apps and social media are a deep sea in which men’s morality drowns, the minds of both young and old are destroyed and its waves drown the modesty of young women.
Psychologists have long studied the impact of the internet and social media on human mental health.
One of the most critical researchers of digital influence, German neurobiologist, psychiatrist and author Manfred Spitzer, who wrote the book “Antimbrain: Digital Technologies and the Brain”, argues that the internet and social media impair memory, reduce concentration and contribute to “digital dementia”. He also holds an unpopular opinion about smartphones, claiming that they make children “sick”, “stupid”, and “addicted” and that unsupervised use of gadgets should only be allowed from the age of eighteen. American sociologist Sherry Turkle, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of “Leave Me Alone: A Return to Real-Life Communication”, argues that digital communication replaces deep emotional connections with superficial ones and that people are losing the ability to empathise due to the habit of communicating through screens.
In short, it is no secret that social media is addictive, similar to drug addiction, especially among teenagers (dopamine rushes, endless scrolling), reduces concentration (clip-based thinking, multitasking), increases anxiety and depression (comparisons, cyberbullying) and replaces real-life communication with superficial digital connections.
As you can see, the internet is very dangerous if not used with caution. Many souls have perished in this whirlpool. So, do not delve too deeply into it; be like a bee – only visit clean pages to benefit first yourself and others second. Do not be like a fly that lands on everything, both dirty and clean, and spreads disease without realizing it.
Today, the internet is a huge marketplace, and no one gives away their wares for free! Everyone wants something in return: some want to corrupt someone’s morality in exchange for their product; some want to promote dubious ideas; some seek fame and others seek correction. Therefore, do not buy from this marketplace without examining the product!
Never click suspicious links: they may contain traps that bring evil and destruction, helping hackers break into your device. Never spread ridiculous jokes or rumors from the internet and avoid copying anything forbidden.
Know! Your every action is recorded by angels as either a sin or a good deed, so carefully choose your “product” before “selling” it (sending or publishing it). Before you comment on or share a post, consider whether it will please Allah ﷻ or anger Him.
Never trust friendships with those you have not seen in person! Do not judge people by their words: online, they usually wear masks, their pretty photos may be fake, their behavior is a beautiful façade and their speech is polished.
The internet is full of pious people who are not really that pious and beautiful people who are often ugly inside, as well as generous people who are actually stingy. And those who pretend to be brave online are often cowards. But there are those whom Allah ﷻ has mercy upon. Be among them!
Beware of hidden anonymous people on social media; their owners do not believe in themselves. Do not trust those who do not even trust themselves. Therefore, do not hide behind fake names by yourself.
You do not have to offend someone who offends you online, because you are responsible for yourself and they are responsible for themselves. Each person is a reflection of his own morals, not those of others. A vessel spills only what it contains. The most frightening thing in this internet ocean is forbidden content, images of debauchery and the like. Avoid this and use the internet for your own benefit and that of others, for beneficial communication and the spread of religion.
The main gates of Hell are carelessness and passion and they are also the foundation of the internet. Use it, but do not let it use you.
Create with the internet, do not let it destroy you and your soul. Let it be your argument for you, not against you.
