Kwara imam highlights social media addiction, immoral content and other online dangers facing children

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Parents have been advised to combine proper supervision with Islamic upbringing as children increasingly spend time on phones, social media and other digital platforms.

Imam Taiye Hassan Mustapha gave the advice during a public lecture organised by The Muslim Congress (TMC) in Ajase Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. He spoke on the topic, “Raising Children in the Digital Age.”

Mustapha said parents should not allow their love for their children to make them overlook their religious duties. He urged them to raise children with sound aqeedah and teach them that Allah is the ultimate authority.

He said children with a strong religious foundation would be better prepared to deal with negative influences they may meet both online and in society.

The imam also advised parents to combine discipline with love when raising their children. He said children should not be disowned because of their shortcomings, but should be corrected while parents continue to show them love and support.

He further urged parents to guide their children on Islamic rules concerning interaction between boys and girls, including keeping them separate from around the age of 10.

On the use of technology, Mustapha said Muslims should not avoid modern technology simply because some people use it for harmful purposes.

“Technology can be used positively or otherwise. The fact that some people are using it for evil does not mean Muslims should abandon it,” he said.

He encouraged parents to decide carefully when their children should be given phones and to monitor how they use them.

According to him, digital tools can support children’s education and religious development when properly used. He encouraged families to use phones, computers and platforms such as TikTok to teach children the Qur’an and Islamic values.

However, Mustapha warned that the same platforms could expose young people to internet fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, inappropriate skits and other immoral content.

He also warned about social media addiction, saying excessive use of these platforms has affected the studies of many children and caused some brilliant pupils to drop out of school.

Other dangers he mentioned included reduced physical activity, cyberbullying and the recruitment of young people into cult groups.

The cleric also raised concern about the growing use of artificial intelligence, saying it could be used to create materials that defame Muslims and Islam.

He called on the government to address negative stereotypes of Muslims spread through digital content.

Rather than rejecting technology, Mustapha urged Muslims to gain the knowledge needed to use it properly and for beneficial purposes.

He cited Iran’s technological development as an example of the importance of mastering modern technology.

Mustapha said technology should not simply be seen as a problem, stressing the need for parents to provide children with proper guidance, supervision, religious values and discipline to help them use it responsibly.

Source: Daily Trust.