What should parents do when a child defends haram elements by saying “It’s only a game” or “It’s just a joke”? 

Parenting Perspective 

When a child dismisses inappropriate content with phrases like, “It is just a game,” it is a crucial opportunity to teach them about the subtle influence of entertainment on the heart and mind. 

Start with Gentle Curiosity 

Instead of reacting with a lecture, begin with a calm question that invites them to reflect. You could ask, ‘That is interesting, what part of it do you find funny?’ or ‘What is it about the game that you enjoy?’ This gentle approach opens a dialogue and helps you understand their perspective before you offer guidance. 

Explain the Concept of Subtle Influence 

Use a simple metaphor to explain how repeated exposure to small things can have a big impact. You can say, ‘Think of your heart like a clean white cloth. Every time we see or laugh at something that displeases Allah, it is like a tiny drop of mud landing on it. One drop is small, but over time, the cloth becomes stained’. This helps them understand the idea of gradual desensitisation. 

Encourage Critical Self-Reflection 

Guide your child to develop their own internal moral compass. Ask questions that encourage them to filter their choices through an Islamic lens, such as, ‘Do you think the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would find that joke funny?’ or ‘Is this game helping you become the kind of person Allah is pleased with?’ This empowers them to make conscious choices for themselves. 

Offer Wholesome and Fun Alternatives 

It is important to show your child that Islam is not devoid of joy. Actively replace the inappropriate content with fun, halal alternatives. This could be a family board game, a funny Islamic cartoon, or a creative project. This teaches them that living within Islamic boundaries is fulfilling, not restrictive. 

By focusing on nurturing your child’s conscience rather than just punishing their choices, you help them build a genuine love for what is pure and a natural aversion to what is harmful. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches that our hearts are sensitive to what we consume, and that even “harmless” falsehoods can have a spiritual impact. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Shua’raa (26), Verses 221–223: 

‘ Shall I inform you as to who is (influenced by) satanic descending (on the Earth)? They descend upon all those who lie about everything and are compulsive sinners. They pass on the gossip they hear, and the vast majority of them are liars.‘ 

This verse warns that repeated engagement with falsehood, even if presented as a joke or a game, can desensitise the heart and make it more receptive to negative influences. It reminds us to be vigilant about the spiritual purity of the entertainment our children consume. 

The company we keep, including our digital entertainment, shapes our character. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, 2378, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so let every one of you look at whom he befriends.‘ 

This hadith is a powerful reminder that our “friends” are not just people; they are also the ideas, characters, and themes we allow into our minds through media. The values promoted in a game or a show become a form of companionship, and it is a parent’s duty to guide their child towards company that strengthens their faith, not weakens it.