Social Media is making us more fragile
fake and toxic than ever before.
The impact it's having on
our identities is frightening
and we really need to talk about it
Let’s talk.
On any given day
we're exposed to hundreds
and thousands of profiles.
We observe their lifestyles, activities,
fashion choices, senses of humor
and even their opinions,
beliefs and moral stances.
And amidst
this online sea of 4.5 billion people,
We all long for acceptance
and are vulnerable to their validation.
In one form or another.
And this is having a lasting impact
on our identities and who we are.
How?
Well it all comes down to the way
social media works.
You see, to build a successful profile
or identity on social media,
you need to gain
likes, shares and engagement.
This is generally achieved
by appeasing
to watch your online
audience of friends and followers
finds popular
and also conforming to what the algorithm
wants.
For example, if X is popular,
you must promote X.
Women's rights are important.
They actually are.
It's just an example.
In doing so,
your audience will reward you
with likes and shares and comments.
While the algorithm
will further your engagement
and push you onto the news
feeds and timelines of others,
all of which releases
dopamine in your brain
and biologically motivates you
to continue the process again and again.
Women's rights are very important.
They are extremely
important, and dear to me. You get the point.
Now this entire cycle pretty much creates
echo chambers online
where people keep posting content
that is popular among their circle,
which pleases their audiences.
And the algorithm.
Now this,
of course, is nothing wrong
when it's delivering you
good quality content
like OnePath Network and others.
But the issue arises
when it begins to deliver content
that's actually harmful.
I mean, the algorithm doesn't care
if what you're posting
is beneficial
or increases
people's spiritual or moral fulfillment.
It doesn't even care where you stand
on the side of a conversation.
You could be on the right or the left.
It doesn't matter.
The only cares that what you're posting
is attractive
enough to keep people
glued to their screens.
And this is precisely
where the problem lies.
Having a formula that drives
a successful online
identity based on popularity is no way
indicative of a person's value or worth.
I mean, you could be posting content
that leads to anxiety and depression
among young girls,
which most popular profiles
are currently doing.
Yet still maintain
a successful online identity.
You could even be a complete
fraud and parade empty
moral slogans all across your page
and still achieve
a successful online identity,
attracting large audiences
and being favored by the algorithm.
All this,
and I still haven't even touched
the most dangerous of threats of all.
You see, striking research
shows that the algorithm
has proven to favor content
that is more polarizing
and negative in nature,
simply because such content
is more popular and engaging.
Misinformation, angry content
is enticing to people
and keeps them on the platform.
So for us,
it's no longer enough to say
women's rights are important, but rather
men are trash, men are really bad.
I hate men so much.
Please like my post.
And we're actually rewarded
for such behavior with likes, shares.
further engagement
and of course, more dopamine
encouraging us to continue the process.
It's no wonder
we're seeing a rise in anger,
hatred and division online,
even among Muslims themselves.
Online, we're becoming more toxic
than ever before,
and this is not
because it's in our best interest
to be angry people,
but rather it's what keeps people engaged
and helps platforms make more money.
And this is nothing new.
I mean, anger was
one of the most foremost emotions
tapped into by Hitler
to further his popularity via the radio .
And it's still happening today,
only this time
with the help of algorithms.
The dangers
surrounding social media
and its impact on our identities
is very real.
And as Muslims,
it's something we really need
to be concerned about.
As Muslims,
we are not people who are swayed by
or those who randomly follow that,
which is popular trends or bandwagons.
But instead we follow the prophet
what the prophet gives you take
and what he refrains you from, refrain.
The obsession
with gaining the pleasure
of an online audience
and an invisible algorithm
goes entirely against our pursuit
of achieving the pleasure of Allah
in all that we do.
It's a fragile way
to form our identities,
and it's something
we should be deeply wary of.
So many times in the Quran
we see a strong condemnation
of just following that, which is popular.
Good and evil are not equal, though you may be
dazzled by the abundance of evil.
And of course:
If you were to obey most of those on Earth,
they would lead you away from Allah’s way.
And this could not
be more pertinent
and important than it is today.
I mean, today in the age of feeling.
Where people's
unrestrained desires and feelings define
the popular way
in which society determines
right from wrong.
We should be very concerned.
We are literally warned
about following our desires in the Quran
and so many times,
but desires
are exactly
what most people are using today
to define their morality.
This is not to mention
the fact
that what is popular and acceptable
among the masses today
can very well change tomorrow.
That which will bring you audiences
and the pleasure of people today
can very well have you canceled tomorrow.
This is why it's crucial
for us as Muslims
to develop our identities
without the hidden,
manipulative pressures
of social media and algorithms.
We need to establish our roots
in who we are
before diving into the wild
world of social media.
We need to study our religion, Islam,
find out who we are as Muslims,
what are our principles?
What are our values
away from the pressures of algorithms?
We are bombarded with so many worldviews,
philosophies, opinions
and doubts online
that are popular
and accepted to the masses.
We need to know how to deal with them
as Muslims.
And once again,
I don't deny that social media
can also have a positive impact
on our identities
when it's used correctly
and when we are exposed to
and interact
with the right people
with the right thoughts and ideas.
But the dangers are still very genuine
and it's something we need to be wary of.
I ask Allah to make us of those
who follow the Prophet ﷺ
and not popularity.
Those who seek the pleasure of Allah
and not the pleasure of audiences
and algorithms.