Al-Azhar’s Global Fatwa Center warned about the social effects of excessive social media use, noting that constant involvement in the virtual world can come at the expense of direct human relationships and family and social responsibilities.
The center explained that excessive use of social platforms may lead some people to give their online relationships more space than their real-life relationships, gradually affecting communication with family members and the wider social environment.
Social Media Can Compete With Family Responsibilities
Al-Azhar’s Global Fatwa Center noted that excessive engagement with social media can contribute to neglecting responsibilities and roles toward family members, including parents, spouses, and children, as well as relatives and friends.
It stressed that maintaining this pattern for long periods may lead to weaker communication and family bonds as virtual relationships consume an increasingly large share of a person’s time and attention.
The Importance of Balance in Social Media Use
The center emphasized the importance of maintaining balance when using social media so that it does not become a reason for isolation from family or neglect of relationships based on direct communication and daily participation.
It also highlighted that preserving family and social ties requires giving them sufficient time and attention and not allowing digital engagement to interfere with responsibilities toward parents, children, spouses, relatives, and friends.
Awqaf Warns Against Photographing People Without Permission
In a related context, the Ministry of Awqaf stressed the importance of respecting other people’s privacy and avoiding photographing individuals or documenting their private lives without permission.
It emphasized that privacy is not limited to physical spaces or the boundaries of homes. It also includes images, data, and personal information that may be circulated through digital platforms and social media.
Responsibility Does Not Disappear in the Digital World
The Ministry of Awqaf explained that entering the digital world does not remove a person’s moral or religious responsibility.
Just as homes and people’s private lives should be respected in the physical world, individuals’ privacy should also be protected in the digital environment, including when using phones, cameras, and screens.
Views and Online Reach Do Not Justify Privacy Violations
The ministry noted that the desire to make content spread quickly or gain views and engagement cannot justify violating people’s privacy.
It pointed out that an action that may appear simple, such as taking someone’s photograph without their knowledge or publishing it online, can have serious consequences that continue for a long time.
Balancing the Virtual World With Real-Life Relationships
These guidance points highlight the importance of using social media in a balanced way, ensuring that technology remains a means of communication rather than becoming a reason for weaker family and social relationships or violations of other people’s privacy.
Maintaining family and social ties requires time, attention, and direct communication, while handling personal images and information online requires responsibility and awareness of the possible consequences of sharing and publishing content.
What are the effects of excessive social media use?
Excessive use may reduce direct communication with family and the wider social environment and contribute to neglecting certain family responsibilities.
How can the virtual world affect family relationships?
Online relationships may consume a large share of a person’s time and attention, gradually affecting communication and bonds with family members.
Is it permissible to photograph people without their permission?
The Ministry of Awqaf stressed the importance of respecting people’s privacy and avoiding photographing or documenting their private lives without permission.
Does gaining views justify sharing other people’s photographs?
No. The Ministry of Awqaf stated that seeking online reach or engagement does not justify violating people’s privacy.
How can people maintain balance when using social media?
They can give family members, relatives, and friends sufficient time and attention while ensuring that digital engagement does not interfere with direct relationships and responsibilities.**
