NGO’s demand Government Action to Combat Cyberbullying with Stricter Social Media Regulations

In light of a recent tragedy involving a TikTok content creator who allegedly committed suicide following persistent cyberbullying, NGOs are urging the government to enforce stricter regulations on social media platforms. The 30-year-old woman, known for her positivity and beauty content, was harassed by anonymous TikTok users using fake profiles.

Anonymity on social media enables cyberbullies to attack without fear of repercussions. Saral James Maniam, Secretary-General of the Malaysian Association of Standards Users, has called for social media companies to implement internal anti-cyberbullying policies aligned with local norms. She stressed the importance of platforms sharing responsibility for content and identity filtering to prevent legal violations.

A UNICEF poll revealed that 28% of Malaysian youths have experienced online bullying. The National Coalition for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) highlights that social media's influence on vulnerable minds is increasing, affecting behavior and values. META CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently acknowledged the need for better safeguards to protect users, especially minors, during a congressional hearing on online child safety. Find our previous post about Timeout, parental consent: How countries try to protect their young from online addiction, here