KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 – In today’s hyperconnected world, the internet has become more than a source of information—it is a space where young people form friendships, express emotions, and sometimes even seek solace. For Malaysian teenagers, the digital sphere often feels like a second home. Yet, this growing dependence on online platforms also sparks an important question: what happens when emotional connection is outsourced to the virtual world?
This issue was brought to the forefront during the 9th Asian Conference on Sexuality, held on 23 August 2025 at Confucian Independent Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur. The event gathered educators, researchers, and social advocates from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore, who came together to discuss how sexuality, culture, and technology intersect in shaping the lives of youth today.
In his presentation entitled “Online Social Culture: How Malaysian Students Establish Emotional Connections in a Multicultural Context”, Dr. Mohd Rustam Mohd Rameli, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and Technology (FEST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), highlighted the evolving role of social media in shaping intimacy among students.
Dr. Mohd Rustam explained that online platforms act as emotional bridges that allow students to reach across cultural and social divides. In a country as diverse as Malaysia, where differences in language and tradition can sometimes limit interaction, social media creates a shared arena for connection. However, this convenience also carries risks, as relationships may become shallow, fleeting, and dependent on external validation, ultimately weakening the depth and authenticity of genuine human bonds.
The concern, therefore, is not whether young people should be online—they already are—but how they can navigate digital intimacy without losing the richness of face-to-face human contact. Dr. Mohd Rustam stressed that this requires active involvement from educators, parents, and policymakers to ensure digital literacy goes hand in hand with emotional resilience. More importantly, young people must be guided to critically evaluate their online interactions and develop meaningful skills for healthy offline relationships.
The conference underscored that the future of youth well-being is not about restricting screen time alone, but about equipping the next generation with the wisdom to balance digital interactions with authentic relationships. With proper guidance, the internet can serve as a powerful tool—not only for learning but also for building meaningful, respectful, and supportive connections. This shared responsibility reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding mental health, emotional well-being, and social harmony in the rapidly changing digital age.
