Social media helped us learn about our faith — don’t ban it, say young Muslims
The Muslim Council of Britain has backed a proposal to bar under-16s from social media. But for some, it was a source of support on their Islamic journey
Religious educators and young Muslims who were raised on social media have warned that banning access for under-16s could hinder the development of their faith.
It comes as the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) calls for Muslim communities to back a proposed ban, which it says will protect children’s safety and wellbeing online.
“I was seven years old and remember defending Islam in the comment section of YouTube videos,” said Amman Nawaz, now 22, from Romford, east London. “I wanted to clarify misunderstandings of the religion.”
When Nawaz was first exposed to social media, he found it was a distraction from the deen (Islamic way of life).
“I would delay ibadah [worship] to watch one more video or reply to one more person, but as I grew older, my deen became stronger and social media became very helpful,” he said. “I started listening to the Qur’an more often, following scholarly debates and learning new hadiths. It supported my Islamic journey when I used it intentionally.”
The proposed ban, brought forward as an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill, would place a legal duty on social media companies to introduce robust age-assurance measures to stop under-16s from opening up accounts. The government has announced a consultation on such a move whose results are expected in the summer.
Munira* was 13 when she secretly opened an Instagram account on her first smartphone — despite having been told by her parents to wait until she was older. “I discovered hijabi and modest fashion content on YouTube, which was the first time I was seeing this kind of representation in the media,” she said. “I found people I could relate to in terms of my identity, like vlogger Dina Torkia.”
Like Nawaz, Munira — who is now 23 and lives in Scotland — believes a blanket ban could leave young people unprepared for the digital environment and push them towards less regulated parts of the internet.
Last month, Australia became the first country to ban social media for users under the age of 16 on 10 major platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, Twitch and YouTube.
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French lawmakers have now also backed a bill banning social media for under-15s. The legislation must now go through the Senate before a final vote in the lower house. If it passes, it could come into force in September.
Dr Wajid Akhter, secretary general of the MCB, said he had banned his four children — the eldest of whom is 15 — from using social media.
His decision was driven by concerns about children’s wellbeing and the type of content they are exposed to online. “As a GP, I can see the negative impact social media has on mental and physical health,” he said.
He added: “The algorithm is changing the way we think, the way we act. The dangerous thing is that apps can control what you see and what you don’t.”
The MCB has launched a campaign backing a nationwide ban on social media for under-16s. “Muslim communities especially should be pushing this because the number one community that’s being assaulted on social media and translated in real life are Muslims,” said Akhter.
“We need to get back in control and not let the big tech companies be in control of us.”
Hafidh Minhaj Sharif, 35, has seen social media have both positive and negative effects on the children he teaches the Qur’an to.
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“I use it myself when I’m teaching,” he said. “There are benefits when it’s used properly. Short videos, for example, can be very visual and engaging, and for some children that actually helps them remember information.
“But I’ve definitely noticed attention spans getting shorter. Sitting with the Qur’an, repeating ayat patiently, requires a kind of focus that many children struggle with now. Memorisation takes more effort than it used to, not because the children aren’t capable, but because their minds are constantly used to quick stimulation.”
Sharif says religious educators like him play a vital part in guiding children’s digital lives.
“Our role is to stay informed and help students navigate these changes with awareness, responsibility and Islamic values,” he said.
“If your connection with Allah and the Qur’an is nurtured, social media doesn’t have to pull you away but, without boundaries, it easily can. I remind students that iman [faith] fluctuates — that’s part of life and social media is just one of many influences.”
*Name has been changed
