Too much exposure to social media bad for kids, says psychologist

 

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chair Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said parents and schools should promote a healthy balance between screen time and other activities for children.

PETALING JAYA: A child psychologist has warned parents about the alarming risks social media poses to children, especially those under 13.

Noor Aisyah Rosli says these concerns include privacy issues, exposure to inappropriate content, and the prevalence of cyberbullying.

This comes after communications minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed the widespread use of social media, particularly TikTok, among primary school children, even within his constituency of Lembah Pantai.

However, Fahmi said his ministry plans to work with the education ministry to organise a tour targeted at children that promotes the safe use of social media.

Aisyah said parents and educators urgently need to address these issues to safeguard children’s well-being.

“Privacy concerns arise as children unwittingly share personal information, including phone numbers and addresses.

“Moreover, exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying poses serious threats to their emotional and mental health,” she said.

She said prolonged exposure could hinder a child’s social, emotional and cognitive development, leading to low self-esteem issues and shorter attention spans due to the lack of face-to-face interaction with their parents.

Hartini Zainudin.

Echoing Aisyah, activist Hartini Zainudin said parental involvement is important in managing children’s online activities.

The Yayasan Chow Kit founder said setting up parental controls and fostering open communication about internet safety is a crucial step.

“Encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities, providing educational toys and books, scheduling family time without screens, and promoting hobbies and interests that don’t involve digital devices can also help mitigate the risks associated with social media,” she said.

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia chair Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim also stressed the need for comprehensive education on navigating social media safely.

Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim.

“We must equip children with the skills to navigate the digital world ethically and responsibly. This includes teaching them about online safety and digital ethics in class or student clubs, and promoting a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.

“Outdoor sports activities also build character and physical ability,” she said.

Meanwhile, Aisyah said schools could integrate digital literacy into their curricula and host workshops on online safety and cyberbullying prevention to equip students to navigate the digital world safely.

“This will empower children to make informed decisions and protect themselves online,” she said. - FMT