So
many of you must be thinking, "Drugs, guns,
pregnancies, our
kids could never do these things."
In fact, these activities don't even cross our
minds when thinking about our MUSLIM youth.
We automatically assume that, ""these
things don't happen to Muslims.""
Unfortunately, we need to undergo a reality check
and accept that this is not the case anymore.
.
Muslim
youth are hooked into the same dangers
as non-Muslim youth of today's society. The
statistics show it all. . Ninety percent
of Muslim children, as young as 11, are using chat
rooms and Internet sites to contact
strangers. At the same time, they are providing
these strangers with all of their personal
details.
As
a counselor for Muslim Youth Social Services
(MYSS), I handle numerous cases whereby
Muslim youth have been harmed by socializing
via the Internet on sites such as myspace.com,
facebook.com, friendster.com, and xanga.com.
Why?
When
asking youth why they are so fond of such
websites, girls in particular respond emotionally
when explaining that they feel this is the
"safest" way to vent out their feelings.
They feel their parents are clueless about how
they feel and they want to reach out, even if it
means talking to strangers through the Internet.
From personal observations and conversations with
these youth, it appears they are using these sites
as a form of attention seeking.
There
is a strong communication barrier between
parents and children that is causing
these young teenagers to search for alternatives
to fill this void in their lives. They are
desperately calling out to their parents for love
and care. These Internet chat websites provide
them with that window to the outside world without
them having to leave their room or face disapproval
from their parents.
Another striking
factor for losing our children to the Internet is
that a majority of parents assume they "know
it all." They feel they are educated,
active members of local organizations and masjids,
so they instill in their hearts that nothing bad
could happen to their kids. Yet from the cases I
handled, I discovered the total opposite, and, in
reality, no one is exempt from this problem. In
fact, those who have busy lives have to be more
cautious than others because they may be too busy,
and as a result, their children might slip between
their fingers when they expect it least. They
may overlook clear signs of behavioral
changes resulting from an unhealthy Internet
addiction (try this test).
Once
our children turn to this destructive
resource for "enjoyment," it
is not just fun, but it is in actuality making our
kids lose the most valuable blessing Allah gave
them — haya' (shyness). Their innocence
is being sacrificed at the cost of a product
of modern technology, the Internet. Not only are
children stripped of their shyness, but they
become easily accessible to child predators. In
just the past two weeks, 9 girls,
aged 12 to 14, were raped by child predators whom
they had met on Internet websites.
Finding
a Solution
The
problem is clear, but what can we do to protect
and save our youth from dangers such as
these? One possible solution which parents
can start with is to make sure their computer is
set up in an open area of the home. Children
should access it in their parents' presence and
for limited time periods. Parents must establish
open communication with their children
and educate them, as well as themselves, about
the dangers of the Internet. One can take it even
further and contact the local FBI community
service or juvenile division, the
prosecutor's office, and the local board of
education to present awareness workshops at
their child's school. People from these
organizations would be more than willing to come
in and assist you.
Role
Models
Most
importantly, we need increase the desire of Muslim
youth to learn about Islam and love their deen.
Once our youth have a firm awareness of Allah and
knowledge of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace
and blessings be upon him), their taqwa
will increase, in sha 'Allah. Their faith
will be exemplified through their actions and they
will readily protect themselves from sin and the
evils of this time.
One
of the best ways to make sure that young people
grow up as strong Muslims is to set the example as
good Muslim parents and adult who also have
the desire to learn about their deen
and to be firm on the straight path. Youth look up
to their parents who guide them through life.
Children should love and respect their parents,
thereby following them in their proper conduct.
This is the best way that we can protect our youth
from the dangerous habits and actions
that arise from non-Muslim activities, which are
so widespread, yet hidden in this society.
May Allah raise our youth to be free from
impurities, strong in their faith, and
guardians of their chastity. Ameen.
May God
give us the wisdom, courage, and strength to
strive for change in ourselves, to guide us and to
guide others through us, and make us realize and
fulfill the responsibilities we owe to our
spouses, children, families, communities, and the
living and future generations.
Read
Also:
**
Fatin Khairallah is a licensed social worker who specializes in working with troubled youth, especially Muslims. She is also the founder of Muslim Youth Social Services in New Jersey, United States.
