By Amani Elcheikh Ali - Ottawa
TikTok is a social media app designed for creating and sharing short music videos. This social platform was designed for the creation of self-made videos encompassing one common theme— music and dance.
Users can record themselves lip-syncing to popular songs and create their own dance videos. Since its creation, TikTok videos have gone viral and the app has taken the youth by a storm.
‘TikTok Challenges’ are a major trend on the app, where users create a hashtag and come up with a dance or idea accompanied by a popular song playing in the background. Once users take on this challenge, they film themselves dancing to the same song and release their own version of the dance.
Somehow, TikTok has made its way into our homes and onto our children’s cellphones. It has become normalized to the point that our own children are engaging in TikTok content at distressing rates— some even releasing their own videos and participating in dance challenges. All whilst parents are completely unaware. Since short-video apps make it dangerously easy for users to release their own content, our youth are using TikTok without considering the negative implications.
Social media platforms are not inherently bad. They are simply tools, and like any tool, when used properly, they can be very useful. However, when used improperly, they can be very dangerous. That’s why its important to be attentive of the many dangerous trends coming our way, assess the harm they may inflict and guard ourselves from them.
When we observe the people around us participating in a bad action, we may become desensitized to it. We may get so wrapped up in the trend that we feel inclined to join in. If enough people get on board, this action becomes so normalized that we may not even recognize it as wrong. But just because everyone around us is doing it does not mean it is ok.
Similarly, when our peers and friends take part in something— we may feel left out or isolated if we do not join in. But we must remember that blindly following trends without evaluating their effects will likely harm us.
In some cases, we may even feel peer pressure to participate in something in order to ‘fit in’. But there is no shame in standing out if we are protecting ourselves from harm. After all, what good is there in pleasing our friends if we are displeasing God?
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It is also important to consider the online identities we create for ourselves. Everything we post on social media is a reflection of us. From selfies to statements to statuses— everything we post creates an identity for us online. We must ask ourselves— what kind of image are we broadcasting?
Making mistakes is a normal part of growing up, but in this digital age, anything we do can be broadcasted and plastered on social media for hundreds to see. And once something is on social media, there is no going back. A mistake in the electronic era can be extremely risky and reach countless people. So why expose ourselves to such unnecessary harms?
We may face peer pressure and we may feel an urge to ‘fit in’ but we must not be swayed. Do not cave into the social pressures to participate in trends that have nothing to do with the identity you carry with pride. Apps will continue to be developed and trends will continue to arise. But we must overcome the external forces attempting to influence us— by deeply assessing the trends we condone and participate in.
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Parents; it is of vital importance to have these conversations with your children. Talk to them about the dangers of unrestricted social media use, viral trends and peer pressure. Engage in meaningful dialogue with your children on the concept of identity. You may learn of their difficulties in carrying their Muslim identify whilst living in the West. Encourage and guide them to manifest their faith in all their actions. Strengthen them to feel proud of their beliefs rather than conceal them in shame.
One essential component is to teach our children the rationale behind our religious ruling. Why do we wear the hijab? Why do we pray? Why do we place certain restrictions between genders? What is modesty really about?
When we begin to teach our children the reasoning and values behind Islamic teachings— they no longer view them as restrictions and boundaries. Only when they understand the philosophy behind Islam can they realize that it is not a limitation to their social endeavours. Rather, it is an opportunity for their future success and self preservation.
When we understand our faith, we learn that it is true liberation. We are no longer drawn to the Western notions of ‘freedom’ which had previously chained us. Instead, we recognize our faith as the key to our protection, preservation and true happiness.
To our dearest youth, to our coming generation, to our flame of hope for the future— we must be vigilant in the silent war that is being waged against us. Do not compromise your beliefs or your principles for the little satisfaction of a few likes or shares. Do not fall victim to popular trends which do not align with your faith. Do not conform, do not give in, do not kneel down and do not surrender. You are the warriors of our faith— the only ones with the power to carry the banner of Islam from one generation to the next. Our hope lies in you.
While some will create their Vines and TikToks, some will filter their Snapchats and others will develop their Insta and Facebook platforms— we must remain alert. The silent battle we wage is a battle of ideology. We must fight the very trends which endanger our faith and jeopardize our very beliefs. We were never made to ‘fit in’ or follow the trends. If carrying the flag of our faith makes us stand out, we stand with pride. For a man with a mission was never one who followed the crowd.
#ThinkTwice
The Social Media Checklist
Questions to Consider Before Posting:
- Does this go against my Islamic beliefs?
- Is this trend harmful?
- Has it become normalized so it seems ok?
- How will other perceive my post?
- Is this something I could regret posting later?
- Am I oversharing my personal life?
- Am I compromising my modesty?
- Would my parents approve of such a post?
- Is it necessary? Is it beneficial?
Positive Uses for Social Media:
- sharing knowledge (religious, academic, scientific)
- Activism, advocacy, social justice
- sharing talent (photography, art, writing, cooking)