How can parents encourage children to start or join wholesome online trends that spread kindness or creativity? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children are naturally drawn to online trends, as they offer a sense of excitement and social belonging. Instead of focusing only on discouraging harmful trends, parents have a wonderful opportunity to redirect that same energy towards positive and uplifting movements. By guiding their children to see that they can either create or participate in trends that spread kindness, gratitude, and creativity, parents can help them to find a sense of belonging in a way that strengthens their character and inspires others. 

Highlight Positive Examples 

Take the time to show your child real-life examples of wholesome and positive trends. This could include online kindness challenges, creative learning projects, or charity campaigns that gained significant attention. Discussing these examples with them demonstrates that good ideas can also go viral. 

Encourage Them to Be Creators, Not Just Followers 

Empower your child with a creative mindset by saying: ‘You do not always have to copy what others are doing; you have the ability to start something new that inspires others.’ You can then support them in creating a small video, a piece of artwork, or a simple post that shares a positive message, no matter how small its reach. 

Make It a Family Project 

You can turn positive online challenges into enjoyable family activities. This could involve recording short, beneficial reminders together, starting a family ‘gratitude challenge,’ or creating a project to help others in the community and sharing it online. Participating as a family not only gives children confidence but also models how to use technology constructively. 

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Reach 

Remind your child that even if their positive post does not receive thousands of likes, the act of spreading goodness is valuable in itself. It is important to celebrate their creativity and their sincere effort, reinforcing the idea that true success is measured by impact, not numbers. 

By showing children that they can be positive influencers for good, parents can help them to find joy and a sense of purpose in digital spaces without compromising on their values. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam encourages believers to use whatever influence they have, whether it is big or small, to be a source of goodness in the world. Even the smallest acts of kindness, when shared with sincerity, are beloved to Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Zalzalah (99), Verses 7–8: 

‘ Thus, everyone’s actions equivalent to the measurement of an atom that is good shall be observed by them (on the Day of Judgment). And everyone’s actions equivalent to the measurement of an atom that is wicked shall be observed by them (on the Day of Judgment).‘ 

This powerful verse reminds us that no good deed, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is ever wasted or overlooked in the sight of Allah. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 207, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Whoever starts a good practice in Islam will have its reward and the reward of those who act upon it after him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.’ 

This is a profound encouragement to be proactive in initiating goodness. It teaches us that starting something beneficial, even a small, positive online trend, can bring a continuous and lasting reward from Allah. 

By framing wholesome online trends as opportunities for sadaqah jariyah (ongoing charity), parents can inspire their children to use their creativity for a lasting and meaningful impact. This helps them to learn, over time, that technology can be a powerful platform for spreading barakah (blessing), where even a simple post shared with a good intention can earn rewards that may outlive them.