We live in an era where modern information around the globe is informed directly to us in real-time. Besides its benefits, we were consumed by every kind of news, including the negative ones. Once we’re informed by the news, we are unconsciously `tied to it, consuming a heavy diet of digital information before we’ve even finished our breakfast . While staying informed is often seen as a civic duty, the sheer volume of “bad news” can leave us feeling paralyzed, cynical, and spiritually drained.

Modern algorithms prioritize negativity (conflict, scandals, disasters) because it triggers higher engagement and more beneficial to media outlets, because it makes the audience obsessed about the news that currently exists. The long term effects of doomscrolling information is getting distracted from our normal daily activities, taking out our peaceful mind to think about the other events that have occurred lately. We will no longer be mindful about what’s happening in our daily life, including studying, working, doing exercises, and most importantly our ibadah (prayers). We are also vulnerable to being strayed because of the negative influences of the news we consume.

Islam pays attention to manners and ethics. Islam as a religion that guides its people to always prioritize doing good in every aspect of life, including having shar’i limits for its people in using social media. This is to create a more comfortable condition, wise, and still pay attention to moral ethics in every activity. Here is one thing to do to control while consuming social media.

We often feel a subconscious pressure to react, comment, or share a shocking story the moment it hits our feed. However, Islam teaches a concept that acts as a circuit breaker for this impulsive behavior, it is called “Tabayyun” This needs to be done to minimize information errors or news that are not true and cannot be accounted for. As in the words of Allah in surah Al-Hujurat verse 6,This needs to be done to minimize information errors or news that are not true and cannot be accounted for. As in the words of Allah in surah Al-Hujurat verse 6,

“O you who have believed, if a wicked person comes to you with news, then investigate carefully lest you cause a calamity to a people without knowing its circumstances, which makes you regret what you have done”.

It is really important to understand the validity of what happened, in order to protect ourselves from becoming “unintentional liars” and safeguard our communities from unnecessary strife. Tabayyun will also help us individually to keep focus on their daily activities and control what they can control. Although there are truly big events happening, it is our duty to keep focusing on ourselves, increasing our prayer, good deeds, and maintaining stability within ourselves, so that we can still be informed, but keep living the lives we are currently on.

Source :

https://muslim.or.id/87991-sikap-generasi-muda-islam-dalam-memanfaatkan-media-sosial.html.