A Speech on Ethics in Social Media

A Speech on Ethics in Social Media

Pic Source: Freepik.com

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

All praise be to Allah, who has bestowed upon us countless blessings, especially the blessings of faith, Islam, and good health, enabling us to continue our daily activities and walk the path of righteousness.

May peace and blessings always be upon Prophet Muhammad, the noblest of all creation, whom we take as our role model in every step of our lives. May Allah’s peace and blessings also be upon his family, his companions, and all those who follow his teachings until the end of time.

Respected audience, may Allah’s blessings be upon us all.

Today, we are living in an era in which almost everything is connected through advanced information and communication technology. The world seems to have become borderless. It is now easier than ever to make friends and communicate with people living on the other side of the world. Moreover, during the pandemic, these technologies enabled us to continue learning even without meeting face to face. Indeed, information and communication technology has brought us many benefits, making distant places feel much closer.

However, on the other hand, these conveniences have gradually shifted our lives from the real world to the virtual world. Many people have become so absorbed in and comfortable with the virtual world that they sometimes forget how to live in the real world. As a result, they become indifferent to their surroundings, creating greater distances between themselves and the people who are physically close to them.

In other words, they may feel close to people who are far away, yet become distant from those who are near. This is one of the consequences that can arise from the use of social media.

Ladies and gentlemen, may Allah’s blessings be upon us all.

Social media has become a widespread phenomenon in our society, particularly among the younger generation. Almost everyone has a social media account as a way of expressing themselves and maintaining their social connections.

The widespread use of social media demonstrates that many people have benefited greatly from it. Nevertheless, this phenomenon has also given rise to various problems, including slander, division, and even criminal activities.

We cannot simply blame social media for these negative consequences because the impact of any medium depends on how it is used. When used wisely, social media can bring positive benefits. Conversely, when misused, it can cause harm.

Therefore, as we navigate the world of social media, we must always put ethics first.

Allow me to share five important principles of ethical social media use.

First, never engage in hate speech, provocation, or slander.

Islam teaches us to maintain and promote peace. The very essence of Islam is associated with peace, harmony, well-being, and tranquility. Therefore, social media should serve as a platform for creating peace, not the opposite.

Unfortunately, many cases of hate speech, provocation, and slander have threatened the unity of our society.

Let us use social media to spread kindness, strengthen relationships, and promote peace rather than hatred and division.

Second, verify before you share.

Not all information we receive through social media and the internet is necessarily accurate or reliable. As rational human beings, we should always verify the truth before believing or spreading any information.

Only after confirming that the information is accurate should we share it on social media.

In Islamic teachings, this principle is known as tabayyun, which means carefully verifying information before accepting or spreading it.

Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 6:

“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, verify it carefully, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and later regret what you have done.”

Therefore, before clicking the share button, let us pause for a moment and ask ourselves: Is this information true? Is it reliable? Could sharing it harm someone else?

Remember, think before you click, and verify before you share.

Third, do not show off.

Recently, the phenomenon known as flexing has become increasingly common. Many people enjoy displaying their wealth, luxury, and possessions on social media.

In Islamic teachings, showing off is strongly discouraged because it can lead to various negative consequences. When people who are less fortunate see such displays of wealth, they may feel hurt, uncomfortable, or inferior.

If we are blessed with abundance, we should express our gratitude in the right way without feeling the need to show off on social media.

Instead of displaying our wealth, we should prioritize empathy, humility, and compassion—not only in the real world but also in the digital world.

Let us remember that true happiness does not come from showing others how much we have, but from being grateful for what Allah has given us and using our blessings to help others.

Fourth, not everything deserves to be posted.

In the past, we often heard the saying, “Your mouth can be your own worst enemy.”

In today's social media era, we might say, “Your fingers can be your own worst enemy.”

This means that everything we post on social media carries consequences, and we must be prepared to take responsibility for it.

Before posting anything, we should carefully consider its possible impact. Could our words hurt someone? Could our content spread misinformation? Could it create unnecessary conflict?

Therefore, let us focus on sharing positive, meaningful, and beneficial content.

Remember, once something is posted online, it may be difficult to take it back completely. So, think carefully before you post.

Fifth, respect one another.

With the rapid flow of information on social media, we will inevitably encounter different opinions and perspectives, some of which may lead to disagreement or controversy.

Differences in opinions and viewpoints are natural. What matters most is how we respond to them.

We must learn to respect one another and appreciate our differences. Our posts and comments should never contain elements of injustice, oppression, or harmful behavior toward others.

We should also remember that, just as in our everyday lives, our actions on social media are always under Allah’s watchful eye and are recorded by the angels appointed to do so.

Allah says in Surah Qaf, verse 18:

“Not a word does a person utter except that there is an observer ready to record it.”

This verse reminds us that every word matters, including the words we write in comments, messages, and social media posts.

Therefore, let us choose our words wisely, respect other people's opinions, and communicate with kindness, even when we disagree.

Ladies and gentlemen, may Allah’s blessings be upon us all.

This is how Islam guides us in our daily lives. Ultimately, social media should be used as a means of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and friendship, not weakening them.

Let us make social media a platform for spreading knowledge, inspiring others, promoting kindness, and building a more peaceful and united society.

May Allah always guide us to live our lives in accordance with His teachings and help us become wise, responsible, and ethical users of social media.

That concludes my speech. I hope it will be beneficial to all of us.

Thank you very much for your kind attention. I sincerely apologize for any mistakes or shortcomings in my speech.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

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