The Influence of Social Networks on the Religious Awareness of the Youth

Abstract

With the incessant advancement of social networks, their application across various sectors is progressively expanding on a daily basis. The dominance of digital media, in conjunction with its omnipresence and variety, facilitates a significant metamorphosis of religious practices. Contemporary youth is characterized as the cohort that has matured during the Internet epoch and actively engages with social networks, particularly for religious objectives. The aim of this article is to ascertain the correlation between the engagement of young individuals in social networks and their adherence to the Muslim faith. The research was conducted utilizing qualitative methodologies, encompassing observations. A total of fifteen students enrolled in diverse academic disciplines at universities in Moscow and Almaty were interviewed. The age range of the participants varied from 17 to 30 years, comprising 7 males and 8 females. All respondents utilize social networks and allocate considerable time to these platforms. Presently, social networks are increasingly acknowledged as a pivotal means of acquiring essential information. The convenience afforded by digital media further facilitates access to Islamic education online. Social networks provide alternative supplementary methods and various platforms for Islamic learning and education. Numerous applications advocate for religious rites and rituals. The feedback from students corroborates that social media serves as a conduit for acquiring knowledge about religion and its tenets, thereby influencing their religious perspectives and devotion.

Keywords: Youth, Social media, Islam, Religiosity, Digitalization, Religious belief.