Top Cleric: Social Media Intensifies Youth Identity Crisis
According to the Taghrib News Agency, at the Kazan Forum 2025, which was attended by representatives from various countries, including Russia and the Islamic world, Hojjatoleslam Shahriyari praised the hosts of this international conference and analyzed the challenges facing the younger generation.
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He pointed out the identity crisis challenge in the era of globalization, stating: "In today's world, where global communications are rapidly expanding and young people are constantly exposed to international media and cultural flows, they easily access successful global role models and ideal lifestyles showcased on social media. The constant presence of these idealized models normalizes the pursuit of extraordinary achievements. However, since achieving such ideals is not possible for most individuals, many young people face failure, frustration, and ultimately an identity crisis."
He also noted that when celebrities become the main reference for young people, human values such as moderation, simplicity, contentment, resilience in the face of difficulties, and spiritual discipline are gradually marginalized.
Dr. Shahriyari added: "The constant comparison of young people and adolescents with the 'filtered lives' of celebrities leads them to adopt unrealistic standards of success and beauty as norms, resulting in depression, anxiety, and decreased self-esteem. Additionally, human relationships take on a commercial nature, and with the disappearance of traditional role models, scholars, teachers, parents, and cultural figures lose their status."
The Secretary-General further stated: "Values such as contentment, simple living, continuous effort, spiritual discipline, and moderation are gradually replaced by consumerism, self-promotion, and self-advertising, leading to the fading and forgetting of important human and ethical values."
Dr. Shahriyari identified liberal individualism and generational gap as the second challenge, emphasizing: "The issue of liberal individualism causes some young people to adopt a liberal view of traditions in their quest for freedom and liberation from social norms. Meanwhile, many other young people remain loyal to their religious and national traditions, and this duality exacerbates the generational gap and leads to the emergence of dual identities among the youth. We must respect multiculturalism and allow traditional values to grow alongside emerging values. Countries like Russia, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, and other nations have a rich historical background and valuable traditions in literature, customs, and religious practices. This cultural heritage must be preserved and cherished. Western individualistic liberalism may find a short-lived opportunity, but in the long run, it cannot replace these traditions."
He proposed five common strategies to turn challenges into opportunities:
Teaching media literacy in schools and universities.
Introducing alternative and authentic role models, such as individuals with cultural, scientific, religious, or artistic backgrounds through online platforms to provide healthy and constructive examples.
Limiting algorithms that promote superficial content and requesting social media platforms to review algorithms that prioritize harmful content and promote valuable content.
Rebuilding the internal identity of young people to strengthen their sense of worth based on internal values and investing in the production of series and films that enhance a sense of responsibility and effort.
Parental supervision and family educational involvement; today, children need more guidance and care from their parents than ever to protect them from harm and help them recognize their growth path.
In another part of his speech, the Secretary-General stated: "Young martyrs in Gaza and the West Bank did not have the opportunity to live, be young, and build a future. While they were thirsty, hungry, and deprived of the most basic human rights, they sacrificed their lives to provide bread and water for children, women, and the elderly and to defend their homeland."
Dr. Hamid Shahriyari condemned the recent killings of civilians in Gaza and the martyrdom of 80 Palestinians, including 22 children in Jabalia, calling the actions of the Zionist regime a war crime.
The Secretary-General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought addressed the supporters of this regime, stating: "Shame on the United States, which facilitates this mass killing by providing one-ton bombs and financial and military support."
