A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effects on the Identity of Muslims (Part 47)
Personal Damages of the Media
The media and virtual space have many advantages and benefits, offering numerous positive functions; however, if not used correctly, they can cause significant harm to individuals and societies. In other words, when the media is utilized properly, it can serve as a great opportunity, providing numerous benefits to humanity and society. Conversely, if the media is treated passively, its potential harms are overlooked, and it is not used appropriately, it poses a severe threat that can divert the progress of society and individuals, leading to serious consequences for community members.
The damages associated with mass media and virtual space can be generally categorized into two groups:
1. Personal damages;
2. Social damages.
In this note and in forthcoming sections, we will discuss some of the most salient personal damages caused by the media. Mass media and virtual space can inflict serious, dangerous harm on individuals and expose them to various physical, mental, and spiritual detriments.
Some of the personal harms caused by mass media and virtual space include:
1. Media Addiction: One of the most harmful personal damages caused by the media is media addiction. Addiction, which can lead to numerous material and spiritual problems, is not limited to substances like drugs, but takes various forms, one of which is media addiction. Overuse and uncritical engagement with social media and virtual environments can lead to this addiction. When a person becomes addicted to something, all their hopes, dreams, thoughts, and memories become fixated on it, causing them to become oblivious to other interests, relationships, and aspirations.
Types of Media Addiction
A. Media addiction can be categorized into different forms:
1. Addiction to TV shows and series;
2. Addiction to computer and mobile games;
3. Addiction to aimless browsing of internet sites and social networks;
4. Addiction to watching vulgar and obscene movies and photos. This particular type of addiction is the most detrimental and leads to significant material and spiritual harm. Unfortunately, research indicates that this kind of addiction is prevalent in media environments, with some studies showing that over 60% of Internet users seek out unethical content.
B. Signs of Media Addiction
Media addiction can exhibit several signs and symptoms, the most significant of which are:
1. Reluctance to engage in physical exercise and other activities;
2. Persistent mental and intellectual preoccupation, neglecting important responsibilities in life;
3. Adopting a defensive posture against criticism from those who point out excessive media use;
4. Media access creates momentary joy and happiness;
5. A loss of time awareness during media use;
6. Utilizing necessary rest hours for media engagement;
7. Experiencing anxiety or confusion when unable to access media;
8. Allocating most time to media use instead of homework and life responsibilities;
9. Preferring media consumption over spending time with friends and family;
10. Seeking media as an escape from responsibilities and unpleasant emotions, such as depression.
If an individual consistently exhibits all or most of these signs and symptoms, they are likely suffering from media addiction and should seek treatment for this serious issue.
By admin2
