Abstract
Globalisation and social media have transformed the socio-cultural landscape in which youth negotiate identity, religious expression, belonging, and social relationships within Malaysia’s plural society. While digital platforms provide opportunities for connection and intercultural engagement, they also expose youth to misinformation, identity pressures, discrimination, excessive digital consumption, and polarised discourse. However, existing studies remain fragmented in discussing how Islamic principles function as an internal mechanism for navigating these digital challenges. This study develops a conceptual framework of Islamic Digital Filtering through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Peer-reviewed literature published between 2021 and 2026 was systematically identified and synthesised from the Scopus database using a focused search strategy covering youth, digital identity and social media, Islamic perspectives, and plural or multicultural contexts. Thematic synthesis identified three interrelated dimensions. First, the cognitive dimension conceptualises tabayyun as an epistemic mechanism for evaluating digital information, religious narratives, and misinformation. Second, the behavioural dimension conceptualises Digital Adab as a mechanism for regulating self-presentation, content sharing, digital consumption, and online interaction. Third, the social dimension integrates Ukhuwwah Insaniyyah and Maqasid al-Shariah to promote dignity, responsible interaction, intergroup understanding, and social harmony. The synthesis further proposes Digital Identity Resilience as a linking construct connecting these dimensions to constructive digital citizenship and plural social cohesion. The framework contributes to digital sociology by integrating Islamic epistemological, ethical, and socio-relational principles and provides a conceptual foundation for value-based digital literacy initiatives and future empirical validation.
Keywords: Islamic Digital Filtering; Tabayyun; Digital Adab; Maqasid al-Shariah; Muslim Youth; Social Media; Digital Identity Resilience; Plural Society
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