Parenting Perspective 

When a child sees their message has been read but receives no reply, it can feel like a direct rejection. Navigating these digital-age challenges requires a blend of empathy, perspective-building, and practical skill development. 

Acknowledge the Sting and Teach an Emotional Pause 

Seeing a read receipt without a reply can be hurtful, especially for young people whose self-worth is often connected to peer responses. Start by validating their feelings rather than dismissing them: ‘It is understandable to feel hurt when you see they have read your message and do not reply’. Avoid rushing to give advice; empathy helps to calm the initial emotional storm. Once they feel heard, introduce a pause rule: wait a few hours before reacting. This cooling-off period helps them process their feelings without jumping to negative conclusions. Explain that a read receipt shows that a device has registered the message, not necessarily the person’s intention. A friend could be distracted, busy, or simply unsure of what to say. 

Build Perspective About Digital Behaviour 

Guide your child to separate their value from the responses of others. Explain that digital communication can often distort reality; people multitask, forget to reply, or reply mentally without ever typing the words. Discuss how different people manage online pressure; some may reply late as a way to manage their own stress. You can role-play positive interpretations together: ‘Maybe they were in the middle of studying,’ or ‘Perhaps their phone battery died’. Teaching this kind of flexible thinking can protect your child from spiralling into insecurity. 

You can also help them set healthy digital habits: 

• Limit checking: Encourage them to check messages a couple of times a day rather than constantly refreshing their screen. 

• Prioritise connection: Suggest that for important conversations, a phone call or meeting in person is often better than a quick chat. 

• Develop offline anchors: Promote hobbies, reading, prayer, and other activities that reduce emotional dependence on screens. 

Encourage Direct and Kind Communication 

If the silence continues, teach your child to seek clarity respectfully instead of allowing resentment to build. A simple message like, ‘Hey, just checking in. Hope you are okay,’ models maturity without being accusatory. Guide them to express their feelings rather than suppress them. Remind them that friendships are a two-way relationship; if someone repeatedly ignores them, it may be time to re-evaluate their expectations of that friendship. Coach them that they can protect their own peace while still being kind. Over time, these habits build a strong foundation for emotional resilience in the digital world. 

Spiritual Insight 

Moments of being ignored can test the heart, but Islam teaches that our self-worth does not depend on human attention. Every delay and silence can become a lesson in sabr (patience) and tawakkul (trust in Allah Almighty). 

Find Strength in Patience and Trust 

Encourage your child to turn the moments of waiting into moments of remembrance. They can make a short dua, take a deep breath, and refocus their attention on Allah Almighty rather than the screen. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Shua’raa (26), Verse 217: 

‘ And place absolute reliance upon the One Who is the Most Cherished and the Most Merciful.’ 

This verse gently redirects our hearts. It reminds us to place our trust in the One who never leaves a prayer unanswered. When we depend less on replies from people and more on our connection with Allah Almighty, our inner peace deepens. 

Choose Character Over Reaction 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6114, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The strong person is not the one who overpowers others, but the one who controls himself when angry.’ 

Teach your child that true strength is shown through restraint, not impulsive texting or resentment. Choosing patience and compassion when feeling ignored is a reflection of prophetic character. Encourage them to respond to digital hurt with dignity, avoiding sarcasm or self-pity. Suggest a practice of saying ‘Alhamdulillah’ and doing one small good deed whenever they feel ignored, as this shifts their energy from longing to giving. By guiding your child to find worth in their manners, not in notifications, you help them build spiritual resilience in a noisy digital world.