Al-Qalam 
Muslim leaders urged to educate youth on the real consequences of social media misuse, writes Azra Hoosen.
As digital platforms continue to shape the social lives of young people, the rapid growth of social media has introduced serious risks, particularly for those who may not fully understand that what they post or share online could potentially ruin their own lives or those of others.
The South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) is urging Muslim organisations and community leaders to prioritise education around the moral, legal and social implications of social media misuse.
SAMNET member, Mohamed Kharwa, told Al-Qalam that across communities, concerns are growing around issues such as cyberbullying, digital harassment, grooming and the creation or sharing of manipulated content like deepfakes. While precise figures are difficult to determine, available research suggests the problem is widespread and growing.
Legal experts have also warned that many young people do not realise how easily online actions can lead to serious consequences.
SAMNET pointed out that this was happening within the Muslim community, among, by and against Muslim youth.
Kharwa reflected on the teachings of digital law specialist Emma Sadleir, who has become a leading voice on the risks of online behaviour.
In her public talks, Sadleir frequently highlights that what young people consider jokes, pranks or private messages can easily cross into criminal territory. Sharing explicit images, participating in online harassment, or distributing manipulated content such as deepfakes can lead to serious legal repercussions.
She emphasised that digital content leaves a permanent trail, something many teenagers fail to consider in the moment.
For SAMNET, the concern is that community discussions about social media often focus on condemnation rather than education.
“Many talks, Jumu’ah khutbahs and podcasts focus on saying social media is bad, that people should stay off it or delete the apps. It condemns the technology but doesn’t teach how to use it or protect yourself,” he said.
Kharwa said the youth need guidance to protect themselves from misuse among peers and their own actions. “The prevailing strategy of ‘building walls’ and trying to ‘isolate ourselves’ from the reality is not going to work,” he said.
A major challenge, however, is that the digital world has evolved far more quickly than the ability of many parents and educators to keep up with it. “Until we educate and support parents, teachers and community leaders, how can we expect them to know what to do?” he asked.
Rather than addressing incidents only after they occur, SAMNET is urging proactive engagement to equip both youth and adults with the knowledge needed to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
To address the issue, the network has proposed a multi-layered initiative aimed at strengthening awareness and education.
The plan includes a programme to “educate the experts” by bringing together specialists in youth psychology, law and education to develop a unified messaging strategy. The initiative would also involve training community-based facilitators across different regions to deliver consistent guidance and support.
Another key component would involve workshops for parents and educators hosted through mosques and community organisations, helping adults better understand the platforms young people use and the challenges they encounter online.
SAMNET also proposes a sustained social media awareness campaign across both digital and physical platforms to reinforce responsible online behaviour and highlight potential legal consequences.
The organisation believes addressing the issue requires a coordinated approach involving legal experts, psychologists, educators, community organisations and youth leaders.
Importantly, the conversation should not be limited to schools or even to youth alone. “These problems exist in universities, workplaces and even between adults. The youth conversation is critical, but broader discussions about responsible digital behaviour must happen in parallel,” Kharwa said.
SAMNET also believes addressing these challenges should extend beyond the Muslim community: “As part of a diverse country, we have a responsibility to everyone. Just as we respond to hunger or physical hardship, we must also respond to social harm.”
Kharwa noted that digital abuse affecting any woman or young person should be treated as a collective concern.
For SAMNET, the goal is clear: build awareness before harm occurs.
“This is about building an informed and prepared generation. We cannot ignore the realities young people face online. We must equip them to navigate it responsibly,” said Kharwa.
