The Negative Effects of Using Tik-Tok and Instagram on Muslim Youth and its Solution in Islamic Teachings

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media platforms such as Tik-Tok and Instagram has profoundly influenced the behavioural, moral, and intellectual patterns of youth across the globe. Among Muslim youth, these effects are particularly significant as they intersect with religious, ethical, and cultural values rooted in Islamic teachings. This study examines the negative psychological, moral, and social consequences of excessive engagement with Tik-Tok and Instagram, focusing on issues such as time wastage, identity distortion, moral decline, the normalization of immodesty, and detachment from religious and communal responsibilities. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the paper draws upon empirical studies, sociological data, and classical Islamic sources to understand how digital consumerism and the pursuit of online validation erode spiritual consciousness and moral discipline. The research also highlights the subtle mechanisms through which these platforms promote materialism, narcissism, and ideological secularization among Muslim youth. In response, the study explores comprehensive solutions derived from Islamic teachings, emphasizing the Qur’ānic concept of ḥayāʼ (modesty), taqwā (God-consciousness), and the Prophetic model of social responsibility. The paper proposes an Islamic framework for ethical digital engagement that integrates self-accountability (muḥāsabah), purposeful media consumption, and community-based moral education. It concludes that effective guidance rooted in Qur’ānic principles and the Sunnah can help Muslim youth navigate modern digital environments without compromising their faith, moral integrity, or identity. Thus, the research contributes to contemporary Islamic discourse on media ethics by offering a balanced perspective that harmonizes technological participation with spiritual well-being.