The Religious and Ethical Risks of Cyberspace for Children and Strategies for Mitigation

Abstract

Cyberspace, given its unique capabilities, can have both positive and negative impacts. However, if individuals engage with this space naively and without adequate knowledge, they may become vulnerable to its negative effects. Children are among the most significant and sensitive groups exposed to the potential harms of cyberspace. Within this context, the central research question is: What are the religious and ethical risks of cyberspace for children, and what strategies can mitigate these risks? To address this question, the hypothesis posits that a lack of awareness, insufficient parental supervision, and the absence of appropriate frameworks for safe and effective use of cyberspace expose children to the weakening of Islamic beliefs, moral deviations, and ethical exploitation. This study employs a library-based method for data collection and an analytical approach for data processing. The findings indicate that while cyberspace holds immense potential for learning, creativity, and innovation, it should not be simplistically regarded as a safe environment for children's engagement. Thus, precaution, heightened awareness, supervision, and the enforcement of restrictions are critical strategies to prevent religious and ethical harms in cyberspace for children.