Yaqeen Podcast The Social Media Spiral | Real Talk ft. Dr. Tesneem Alkiek
Dec 25, 2025
Dr. Tesneem Alkiek, a Muslim scholar and public speaker, dives into the complex relationship we have with social media. She shares her personal experiences with the distortions of reality online and highlights how platforms are designed to be addictive. The conversation touches on the impact of unrealistic beauty standards and the Islamic perspective on privacy, balance, and community responsibility. Tesneem offers practical advice for healthier engagement, from gratitude practices to reducing screen time, encouraging listeners to seek deeper connections beyond the virtual world.
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Highlight Reel Hides Real Pain
- Tesneem Alkiek describes posting beautiful travel photos while secretly struggling with deep depression in Europe.
- She used social media to show a highlight reel that masked her real mental state.
Platforms Are Engineered For Addiction
- Tesneem explains social media is engineered like a slot machine to trigger dopamine and create addiction.
- This design shifts sources of validation from internal faith to external likes and notifications.
Use Social Media With Intentionality
- Be mindful and intentional when using social media rather than mindlessly consuming or seeking validation.
- Evaluate your motives and choose selective sharing that aligns with your values instead of chasing likes.