Reflection on Islamization on Knowledge (IOK): Can technology be blamed for the moral degradation of the youth of today?

A lot of the signs of the last day have become known to us. And it sure is a scary thing. I find it even scarier knowing that this was revealed back during the Prophet’s time where most of the things are considered ridiculous to begin with. 

But the one sign that piqued my interest would be the one about TV’s and satellite dishes. Somewhere in the hadith, it is mentioned about how our TV sets makes us stay at home and not socializing with our neighbours. And I guess it also goes for our smartphones, tablets, gadgets, and gizmos too. 

We say it constantly that Islam is a religion of peace, and a religion of love. But every so often when we get together  we are so busy taking pictures and uploading them on our social medias, we forget to live in the moment. We are also constantly trying to prove what a wonderful life we’re having to our friends/ followers. Some even actually get emotional when they’re not tagged or included in the photos. 

I also often see some parents trying to calm their children using these devices instead of actually disciplining them, and interacting with them, and teaching them what is right and what is wrong. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am also guilty of this. Whenever I go out with my friends, all of us would randomly scroll our various social media timelines just to relieve boredom when the purpose of going out is to actually socialize. But that’s when it dawned on me that this is what the Prophet meant by us breaking apart, losing each other, and not being there for one another. Technology is distracting us and drifting us apart. 

I get that the purpose of these gadgets are for work and easy interaction between family and friends especially when they are far apart. However, just to what extent do we use it for work? And does work actually get done properly and sufficently with social media? And how many of us would just randomly check our phones as an excuse to not interact with the person sitting next to us? 

My point is, in today’s supposedly modern day age of technology, if you’re wondering why some people are rude, or lack people skills, or don’t know how to respect each other, I’d advise you to check their social media accounts. Because some people only take it there to get things done. And it was mentioned by the Prophet a long time ago, we should have seen it coming.