Irresponsible social media use slammed

JEDDAH: Many people are using social media in an irresponsible manner including showing ingratitude for their blessings, boasting and unfairly criticizing the government, according to Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid, imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
In his sermon on Friday at the Grand Mosque, Bin Humaid said that these websites were filled with text, audio clips, photographs and other content that either magnify or attempt to minimize various violations.
There was also a tendency to find fault with others and spread lies and half-truths about other people and the country. This showed a complete lack of responsibility and careless thinking, he said.
While it was good for people to be introspective, many took this too far with their criticism of the government. It was important for people to realize that the government was working on their behalf, ensuring stability and fighting terrorism, he said.
Bin Humaid said people only harm themselves and their country with irresponsible postings on social media, which violated all principles Allah has urged Muslims to follow.
Bin Humaid's comments come in the wake of the police arresting people involved in posting a video on Twitter showing a boy being "slaughtered" by his father. One man pretended to cut the boy's throat, with a liquid resembling blood spewing out, and then washing his hands afterward.
The police warned that these types of postings were irresponsible and created a bad impression about the Kingdom.
In his Friday sermon at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Hussein Al-Asheikh urged the country's young people not to waste their youth but spend it obeying Allah, which includes building the nation.
He said young people were the country's future leaders and must at all costs avoid committing evil acts. This was in the interest of their families and the entire community, he said.