Dr. Sahar Khamis
We are living in a highly media -driven and media-shaped world today. The sheer number of hours each one of us spends every day consuming media content, especially browsing different social media platforms, is stunning. Therefore, it is imperative to learn the best strategies and techniques to deal with the media, in general, and social media, in particular, in the most constructive ways. This is particularly important for our Muslim youths who are the leaders of the future and whose proper understanding of, and engagement with, the media, especially digital media, is a necessity to ensure a better and brighter future.
It is important to highlight a few essential points to keep in mind in this regard:
1. The Shift from Old to New Modes of Communication:
There is an increasing shift from the old, traditional, mainstream media, such as radio, newspapers, and TV, to the new, digital, internet -based modes of communication. This shift is paralleled by the changing role of the audience, who are now becoming content producers, not just consumers. In other words, they are becoming senders and receivers, simultaneously.
2. The Increasing Need for Media Literacy:
As the sources of information multiply around us creating in many cases an “information overload,” as we get overwhelmed and bombarded by a constant flow of news and other types of mediated content, it is essential for us to master the skills of “media literacy,” which refers to the awareness and tools we need to distinguish facts from falsehoods and accurate information from misinformation and disinformation. These skills need to be taught at every educational level.
3. The Double -Edged Sword of Social Media:
Like many phenomena, social media have both pros and cons. On one hand, they could be effectively used to spread valuable knowledge, including Islamic knowledge, in addition to awareness about important international events and other crucial matters. On the other hand, however, they could invite many threats, such as immoral content, negative influencers, digital addiction, waste of time, in addition to hate, bigotry, and propaganda.
4. The Importance of Countering Islamophobia:
Social media also became a double-edged sword regarding the notion of Islamophobia. On one hand, they provided platforms for the spread of Islamophobia or anti -Muslim hate and bigotry. On the other hand, however, new platforms for countering Islamophobia and rectifying the negative images and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims also became available online.
Keeping all of the above points in mind and equipping ourselves, and our Muslim youths, with the right tools and most suitable techniques to safely navigate the challenges of the digital age in order to maximize the benefits and immunize the harms is absolutely crucial to prepare a strong new generation of Muslim youths. As our beloved Prophet (PBUH) taught us, the strong believer is better than the weak believer. Mastering Islamic knowledge in addition to modern knowledge is the best way to be strong believers during these highly changing and challenging times.
DR. SAHAR KHAMIS, an Affiliated Adjunct Associate Professor at Boston Islamic Seminary and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Maryland, College Park, specializes in Arab and Muslim media. She holds a Ph.D. in Mass Media and Cultural Studies from the University of Manchester, England. Formerly the Head of Mass Communication at Qatar University and a Mellon Islamic Studies Initiative Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago, Dr. Khamis has co -authored significant works like “Islam Dot Com” and “Egyptian Revolution 2.0.” Her contributions extend to numerous publications in both English and Arabic. An acclaimed academic and media commentator, she has also served as a human rights commissioner in Montgomery County, Maryland.
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