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THERE are at least three worrying “doctrines” promoted by some social media influencers that might harm our future generations.

First, success is measured by the number of likes, viewers and material possessions.

It is undeniably inspiring to witness how young individuals like Khairul Aming, Muhammad Sofian Abdullah (Sofyank) and Dr Malar Santhi Santherasegapan utilise their social media platforms to showcase their talents, knowledge and professional expertise.

Unfortunately, a segment of influencers tends to propagate the opposite.

Some even try to “prove” that failing in all subjects in an important exam, such as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), is totally fine, as one could still be “successful” by having millions of followers online, even with the absurd content they produce.

Second, the perception that self-worth is determined by physical beauty.

The heavy use of social media has constantly exposed young people to idealised images, through which they lose their self-confidence and self-esteem.

The goal, in this case, is always striving to be as physically beautiful as possible by excessive promotion of beauty products and brands.

The truth is that many influencers spend a fortune to achieve their ideal looks, and some even undergo cosmetic surgery. 

Our younger generation should not confine the notion of self-worth solely to physical appearance, but also value talents, skills and character.

Third, the assumption that online engagement is more important than the real issues.

Nowadays, it is not surprising to witness an issue being exploited just to gain public attention.

When Malaysians were recently shocked by the extreme bullying and child abuse cases, some parties irresponsibly spread false rumours and speculations.

Unfortunately, these were quickly absorbed and accepted as the truth.

Cross-checking of facts is no longer a concern as people are too preoccupied with propagating sensationalised news and crafting their own narratives for views. 

If this persists, critical thinking is undermined, distrust is spread, and people are misled.

The reality is that there is an influx of content of varying natures, which could be inappropriate for young adults, as they are indirectly instilling negative beliefs.

In this context, China has acted by tightening its laws concerning the influencers’ industry, whereby influencers who wish to engage in professional subjects or discussions online are required to possess the necessary credentials and qualifications in the respective fields.

Being social media influencers comes with great responsibilities, while social media users, especially teenagers, must possess the necessary knowledge when dealing with online content.

It is possible to bring about change. In Malaysia, there is the Communication and Multimedia Act 1988 (Section 233), for example. It serves as a legal framework to educate the public about the significance of responsible online sharing.

For a better Malaysia, we should strive to promote responsible utilisation of social media and encourage reasoned judgment.

Nurul Izzyana Rahmat

Centre for Language Studies,

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my