Work

THE COMMODIFICATION OF CHILDREN ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Exploring Child Exploitation through Hadith and Islamic Parenting Ethics

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The phenomenon of child exploitation on social media shows an alarming escalation, especially when children—even infants—are actively involved in the production of digital content to attract public sympathy or financial gain. This study analyzes child exploitation practices through a netnographic approach, focusing on a viral case of an orphanage in Medan that exploited children for live streaming on TikTok to obtain donations. Through stages of investigation, interaction, immersion, and integration, this research evaluates audience responses, digital interaction dynamics, and the psychological impact on children. Findings indicate that this exploitation blurs the boundaries between private and public spaces in children's lives and normalizes the commodification of children in the digital economy. From an Islamic perspective, these actions contradict the ethical principles of parenting taught by the Prophet Muhammad, which emphasize love, protection of dignity, and the spiritual responsibility of parents. Thus, the prophetic values in parenting hadiths can serve as an ethical foundation for building fair, humane, and Islam-compliant digital parenting practices.

Source: ISLAMUNA Jurnal Studi Islam

DOI: 10.19105/islamuna.v12i1.19227

Authors: Shinta Nuriyah Hadiana, Mukhammad Zamzami, Muhammad Lutfi, Wael Hegazy

Institutions: UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya, University of California, Santa Barbara

Language: English

Topic: Islamic Finance and Communication

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4414510175

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