KUCHING: There is a critical need to educate the younger generation on how and why the need to act responsibly on social media.
Dr Dylan William, a psychologist of Mental Health Association of Sarawak (MHAS), said as the younger generation grew up with the social media, not much has been done to teach them to act ethically online.
“We see many emerging problems coming from the social media world, such as cyber bullying and people posting negative comments when they see someone in distress, forcing them to become more suicidal.
“We seriously need to stop this,” he said when presenting his topic on ‘Countering the Risks from Social Media for Vulnerable Young People – Strategic Roles and Guidance during the forum on Social Media, Mental Health and Suicide, Lowering the Risks’ organised by Mental Health Association of Sarawak (MHAS) and Befrienders Kuching, at the Sarawak Islamic Information Centre (SIIC) yesterday.
He said one tragedy happened in Kuching recently when a 16-year-old girl took her life after a poll she put on Instagram.
“Instagram is different from Facebook. Instagram is more to identity focus…focus on images, seeking validation, putting up concept or contents to try to promote the self or brands.
“People put a lot of self-energy, self-worth on Instagram, and consequently the highest level of cyber bullying is on Instagram compared to other social media form,” he stressed.
He said another issue arising is on cluster suicide, where people copycat suicide as what they see or read on social media.
He said parents, responsible adults, including educators, need to recognise the social media impact on our youth’s mentally today.
He also called on mental health organisations to do the same, saying they must be social media-savvy to be effective.
“For long-term, the government can develop school, state, or national education programmes for digital citizenry and safe online behavior.
“And to the youth, ground yourself with real world engagement and advocate yourself and others on cyber bullying.
“Being responsible youth, report cyber-bullying.
“Those feeling distressed, remember don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not alone in this.”
