Smart phones, social media, and Muslim kids

 

cell-phone-add2

By: Haqqseeker

Source: Muslimvillage

In this digital era children have developed a strong obsession with modern technological gadgets.  They are literally being psyched to use every type of gadget available – computer, tablet, smartphone, – the list is endless- and we parents seem to have lost control over them. The flip side to this situation is that some of us actually encourage our children to use these gadgets. We give these devices to them as their birthday gifts or as inducements to pass their exams.

smartphone1

The need to protect our children from the abuse of these gadgets and from the darker corners of the web cannot be overemphasized.  Allowing them un-monitored access to internet means giving them an open invitation towards lewdness and shamelessness.  It also acts as a major threat to their Imān as internet, besides having some reliable information, also contains a massive amount of stuff that paints a very negative picture of Islām and the Shariāh. We have to understand that children are not yet ready to differentiate between the Haqq (truth) and the bātil (falsehood).

The lucrative Facebook, besides other social sites, is another dreaded place our kids must NOT be allowed to visit. They can easily be lured into interacting with the members of the opposite sex, an act that is forbidden in Islam.

Even the liberal minded Westerners are now having second thoughts about the impact these devices are having on children. Given below is a summary of what one of the Western writers  thinks about the negative effects these devices can have on children.

 ‘10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Hand a Smartphone to Your Children

Technology has done a lot to make our lives easier and more efficient. Yet as a parent, you ought to be concerned about the impact that devices such as smartphones can have on your child. At a time when it is becoming commonplace for kids to have their own mobile device, shouldn’t you be worried about what negative impact a smartphone could have on your child’s growth?

  1. It alters the parent-child relationship.
  2. It limits their creative minds.
  3. It causes them to get less sleep.
  4. It doesn’t give kids the time to reflect or learn about the consequences of their actions.
  5. It impedes their ability to learn.
  6. It causes an addiction.
  7. It has a negative impact on your child’s mental health.
  8. It indirectly causes obesity.
  9. It causes behavioral problems.
  10. It desensitizes children to violence.

Through the smartphone, kids are exposed to violence in games and through cyberbullying on chat sites. This desensitizes children and prompts them to accept that violent behavior is simply a normal way to solve problems.’

Shouldn’t we Muslims be even more sensitive with regards to this issue?

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

Check Also

Why Forgive Others This Ramadan?

You know you’re right. You know what I’m referring to – those times when you …

8 Steps to Recite the Entire Qur’an This Ramadan

It has been said that everything has a beloved & that the month of Ramadan …