Islamic Communication Ethics in Social Media Usage Among Contemporary Muslim Adolescents

Abstract

The pervasive influence of digital platforms has precipitated a distinct ethical crisis among contemporary Muslim adolescents, characterized by a dichotomy between their religious identity and their virtual behavior. This study aims to construct a comprehensive framework of Islamic communication ethics tailored to the psychosocial realities of Generation Z to bridge the gap between religious knowledge and digital practice. Employing a qualitative library research design, this study systematically analyzed and synthesized data from classical Islamic texts (Turath) and contemporary socio-educational literature published between 2020 and 2025. The data were interpreted using a hermeneutic content analysis approach to recontextualize theological concepts into modern digital protocols. The findings reveal that the prevalence of cyberbullying, misinformation, and digital narcissism stems from the erosion of Tabayyun (verification) and Qaulan Sadida (truthful speech). The analysis indicates that technical digital literacy is insufficient to govern adolescent behavior; rather, effective regulation requires the internalization of Muraqabah (awareness of divine surveillance) to counter the moral disengagement caused by online anonymity. The study concludes that fostering a noble digital character demands a holistic pedagogical approach, termed "Digital Adab," which integrates theological consciousness with psychological self-regulation. These insights provide a theoretical basis for parents and educators to mitigate the impact of toxic online cultures.