What simple privacy settings can children be taught to use themselves? 

Parenting Perspective 

Empowering children with the practical skills to manage their own privacy is a key step in building their digital independence and safety. 

Making Accounts Private 

Sit with your child and show them how to set their social media or gaming profiles to private. Explain that this acts like a locked front door, ensuring that only approved friends can see their content. 

Controlling Friend Requests 

Teach them the simple but crucial rule of only accepting friend or follow requests from people they know and trust in real life. Show them how to confidently reject or ignore other requests without feeling rude. 

Limiting Location Sharing 

Go through their apps and games together and help them to turn off any location-tracking features. You can explain that sharing their location can reveal personal routines, and it is always safest to keep this information private. 

Using Block and Report Functions 

It is vital that your child feels confident using the safety tools built into their apps. Take the time to demonstrate how to block someone who makes them feel uncomfortable and how to report any inappropriate content or behaviour. 

When children master these tools, they feel more in control of their online experience. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us to take practical and wise precautions to protect ourselves, while placing our ultimate trust in Allah. Teaching our children how to use digital safety tools is a modern application of this timeless principle. 

Taking Precaution as Part of Faith 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Yusuf (12), Verse 67, that Prophet Ya’qub (Jacob) advised his sons to take precautions before they entered the city, while also reminding them: 

‘And I cannot avail you against Allah at all. The decision is only for Allah; upon Him I have relied, and upon Him let those who would rely indeed rely…’ 

This demonstrates the beautiful balance between taking responsible safety measures in our worldly affairs and maintaining our ultimate trust in Allah. 

Preventing Harm to Self and Others 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 2341, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.’ 

This foundational principle in Islam teaches us that we must not cause harm to ourselves or to others. Using privacy settings is a practical way to uphold this principle by preventing potential harm in the digital world.