HOW SAFE ARE OUR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

By

Lateefah Adewumi Jum'ah (Lajfingers)

The answer is, our teenagers are not safe. Our young adults are not safe. Even the full blown adults too are not safe on social media. Everyone needs to build a wall of security around themselves. 

Perverts are on the prowl and this is why everyone must be on their guard, especially teenagers.

I'm not comfortable with teenagers being on social media. But most of our teenagers want to explore. If you prevent them from opening social media accounts, they'll go behind you and open it. I've seen a lot of parents boast that their children aren't on social media only to be shocked later on when they realise that their kids are at the forefront on social media. These kids either block their parents or use entirely different names. 

This is why parents must be vigilant. There's a need to watch over these kids like mother-hen. Even if you allow them to use a phone, be conversant with their engagements by checking their device from time to time. Though we won't always be everywhere with them, when they know that their parents’ eyes are ever watching them then they won't want to misbehave. Above all, we need to constantly admonish them to fear Allah and act right. Seeking Allah's protection upon them is also important.

The personal story that I shared yesterday was hard for me to share, considering the fact that the internet does not forget, and that some mischievous people would gloat, mock, taunt and even write castigating rejoinders later on, I didn't mind all that, I just had to share the story in order to liberate the next victims of the notorious pervert. In the long run, I think crossing my paths was actually his doom because the aftermath of my posts was a pool of confession from hundreds of sisters that he had disrespected. What if I hadn't come out? Would he have continued with his madness?

Dear sisters, be mindful of your activities on social media. 

When I was learning how to drive, my husband told me to see myself as the only sane person on the road. This way, I'll be extra careful and alert on the road. Let's apply this to social media. You need to assume that every man on social media is sick (apology to the amazingly good brothers. You should understand me). By this, you'll be able to build a wall of security around yourself and protect your space.

Dear teenagers, don't assume you're big enough to be independent. Let your parents and guardians guide you. Be open to your parents and guardians and don't hide anything from them. These perverts are extremely cunning and manipulative. They know that females love to be called endearing names and they put that to a mischievous use. 

Dear parents, call your children pet names so that no one would be able to entice them with it offline or online.

Dear spouse, call your partner with endearing names so that randy goats will not use it to captivate them. The weakest part of a Human’s body is the heart. It's very feeble. Don't lose guard.

Dear female entrepreneurs who unavoidably have their numbers on social media, you have to be extra careful. After the first greeting and the interlocutor doesn't declare their intention or the intention is shady, block them off immediately. Reduce chatting with the opposite gender to the barest minimum; only when it's necessary. Let's assume every man on social media is a pervert until proven otherwise. 

Protect your space because even if you don't have your numbers on social media, these perverts also operate inside Facebook messenger. Also, don't hesitate to open up when you encounter any of them. Don't be scared. Your silence is a weapon perverts feed on. Don't give them the opportunity to trample upon you. 

May Allah protect us all from calamity both offline and online.