Iraq's top cleric Ali al-Sistani warns against social media addiction

Iraq's highest Shia authority has warned against excessive use of social media, calling for authorities to tighten control on online platforms.

The spokesman for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani made the remarks at Friday prayers in Karbala, The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported.

"Social media has had a negative impact on society, there are many people addicted to these sites," Abdel Mehdi al-Karbalai said.

"It spreads deviant ideas and helps establish illicit relations… it also is destroying real-life social interactions,"

Karbalai added that social media posed a threat to the political security of the country, calling on authorities to "impose restrictions on its use".

The warning comes after weeks of protests across southern Iraq against corruption, social ills and political leadership.

Last month, Baghdad cut internet access and blocked service social media platforms during protests.

Activists said they believed internet access was cut off to prevent them sharing footage and pictures of the excessive and unnecessary force used by security forces.

Karbalai has called on the government to meet the protesters demands.