Latest news with #AiniAzeqaMa'rof
Sinar Daily
14 hours ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Avoiding LGBTQ+ issues may leave youth misinformed and vulnerable
OPEN conversations about LGBTQ+ issues, although sensitive, are crucial for society. Avoiding or suppressing these discussions can backfire, leading to misinformation, confusion, and long-term social challenges. Encouraging respectful dialogue helps build understanding and resilience, especially among young people already exposed to these topics online. Rather than hiding from the issue, society must engage with it openly and wisely. The risks of silence and suppression University Putra Malaysia, Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS), Laboratory of Youth and Community Wellbeing, Head Laboratory, Dr Aini Azeqa Ma'rof said avoiding LGBT topics may seem like a way to protect cultural or religious values, but it often creates more problems. From a social psychology perspective, silence can lead to misunderstanding, fear, and shame. She pointed out that many Malaysian youth already encounter LGBT content on social media, regardless of whether adults talk about it. 'If we remain silent, young people may turn to online influencers, strangers, or unreliable websites for answers. Without proper guidance, they may develop misunderstandings, confusion, or even harmful ideas. 'Talking about this topic openly, in respectful and age-appropriate ways, gives us the chance to correct wrong ideas and offer balanced perspectives,' she said when contacted recently. Teenage years are a critical time for identity formation, she noted, and if young people's questions are ignored or met with fear, they may feel isolated or ashamed. This can harm their mental health and distance them from their families and communities. She further said that talking about LGBTQ+ does not mean are supporting it, it means helping the young people understand the world around them, and how to make choices based on their values. These conversations can still reflect our religious and cultural beliefs, as long as they are done with wisdom and compassion. Dr Aini stressed that talking about LGBT issues does not mean endorsing them, it's about helping young people understand the world around them while staying grounded in their values. 'In today's world, staying silent is not neutral, it is a choice. If we want to guide our youth, we need to be present in the conversation, not absent,' she added. Image for illustrative purposes only. - Canva Social media's influence and the need for safe spaces Dr Aini also highlighted the powerful influence of platforms like TikTok, where youth are exposed to content on gender, identity, and relationships. Rather than trying to block access, she suggested the better approach is to create safe spaces for discussion and teach critical thinking. 'If parents or teachers respond with anger or shame, youth may shut down and turn to less trustworthy sources,' she said. Adults should ask open questions like 'What do you think this means?' or 'How does this fit with our values?' to encourage reflection over reaction. Media literacy is essential, she added, as many youth don't understand how algorithms shape what they see online. Teaching them to analyse content critically gives them more control over their beliefs. Dr Aini noted parents and educators should also express their values clearly but kindly, as young people are more likely to listen when they feel respected. 'We can't control everything our children see. But we can influence how they understand it. 'Our job is not to isolate them, but to anchor them, with faith, knowledge, and respect so they can stand firm in a complex world,' she said. Suppressing LGBT conversations fuels misinformation Echoing this view, University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Human Ecology, Department of Social and Development Sciences, senior lecturer, Dr Wan Munira Wan Jaafar said that suppressing LGBT discussions only deepens misinformation and stigma. Avoiding the topic can push youth toward online sources that lack context or promote polarised views. "Discussions about LGBT issues should be age-appropriate, context-sensitive, and academically framed. 'They are not about advocacy, but about equipping youth to understand the complexities of identity, diversity, and media influence. 'Moreover, silence on these issues may inadvertently increase social marginalisation and mental health challenges among youth who are questioning their identity or encountering these themes in daily life,' she said. In reality, many educators and parents are already addressing these issues quietly. Dr Wan Munira highlighted that some secondary school counsellors in urban areas of Malaysia have received private questions from students exposed to LGBTQ+ content online, showing that the conversation is already taking place, though not always in safe or structured settings. She stressed that instead of reacting with fear or censorship, parents and educators should offer thoughtful, supportive guidance. She noted that platforms like TikTok act as cultural spaces where young people encounter a wide range of ideas. Simply avoiding or blocking content is not a sustainable strategy. Instead, she recommended equipping youth with media literacy skills, understanding how algorithms work, evaluating credibility, and distinguishing between content that represents versus promotes certain ideas. Open, values-based dialogue is key, she added. Parents and teachers can create safe spaces where youth feel heard, while gently grounding conversations in shared moral and cultural values. 'This isn't about choosing between acceptance or rejection. It's about empathy, understanding, and a more nuanced view of identity,' she said. Bridging generational gaps through dialogue Recognising generational gaps is also important. Dr Wan Munira pointed to intergenerational learning models, such as workshops led by NGOs like Empower, where youth and adults explore media together to build shared understanding. She also urged a shift from reactive strategies like banning or silence to proactive approaches focused on mentoring, critical thinking, and compassionate engagement. 'Young people are already forming opinions online. The question is, will their understanding be shaped by silence, or by responsible adult guidance?' she added.
Sinar Daily
14 hours ago
- General
- Sinar Daily
Malaysian youth need critical media literacy to navigate LGBTQ+ conversations online
LGBTQ+ content is no longer hidden in the margins of the internet, it's front and centre across social media platforms where young Malaysians spend most of their time. From trending TikTok to Instagram reels celebrating global pride movements, exposure to diverse sexual identities is now part of the everyday scroll. However, this isn't something that can be filtered out or turned off; it's embedded in the digital culture shaping the next generation. In a country as religiously and culturally diverse as Malaysia, conversations around LGBTQ+ topics remain sensitive and often polarising. However, with global content flooding the feeds of young users daily, experts say that shielding them is neither practical nor productive. Instead, what's needed is preparation, rooted in critical thinking, empathy, and moral clarity. The need for critical media literacy University Putra Malaysia, Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS), Laboratory of Youth and Community Wellbeing, Head Laboratory, Dr Aini Azeqa Ma'rof said today's generation is growing up in a completely different environment compared to their predecessors. 'TikTok and Instagram are not just for fun, they are powerful tools that shape how young people think about identity, relationships, and society. 'Among the topics that often appear on these platforms is the issue of LGBT, usually framed around ideas of acceptance, diversity, and human rights. 'For many young Malaysians, the challenge is not just in understanding what they see online, but in making sense of it within the moral, cultural, and religious values they have grown up with,' she said in an interview with Sinar Daily. She stressed the importance of equipping young people with media literacy skills that go beyond simply knowing how to use technology. They need to learn to ask more probing questions. Who is producing this content? What values are being conveyed? Does this reflect or challenge my own beliefs? 'This kind of reflection helps them make sense of diverse perspectives without being easily swayed by sensationalism or extreme views,' she explained. In Malaysia's unique context, where Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Indigenous beliefs intersect, the youth need tools to reflect critically while remaining anchored in their cultural and religious roots. Photo: Canva Balancing empathy and moral clarity Dr Aini also highlighted the need for empathy, not as blind agreement, but as a way to acknowledge human dignity while holding firm to personal values. In a multicultural country like Malaysia, social maturity means respecting others without feeling personally threatened. 'Moral clarity is no longer about memorising a list of do's and don'ts. It's about learning how to make ethical decisions, balancing personal beliefs with social responsibility,' she said. She believes the solution lies in collective conversations, parents, educators, and community leaders must engage youth in open dialogue. Not to lecture, but to guide. Not to dictate, but to nurture reflection and confidence. In the meantime, University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Human Ecology, Department of Social and Development Sciences, senior lecturer, Dr Wan Munira Wan Jaafar shared a similar view. She pointed out that platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become arenas where identity, values, and global norms are constantly negotiated. 'Young Malaysians are exposed to global perspectives every day. 'We must invest in comprehensive media literacy education that goes beyond technical skills to include moral reasoning, intercultural understanding, and critical engagement with content,' she said when contacted recently. Preparing young Malaysians isn't just about protecting them, it's about empowering them to think deeply, act wisely, and engage the world with both strength and compassion. Photo: Canva Values-based education for a multicultural society She noted that in Malaysia's unique context, where Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Indigenous beliefs intersect, the youth need tools to reflect critically while remaining anchored in their cultural and religious roots. Dr Wan Munira said some schools have already introduced values-based media literacy modules in moral or civics classes. These programs encourage students to analyse viral content and engage in respectful, structured discussions. 'The key lies in dialogical education, where the aim is not to promote a particular lifestyle but to create safe spaces for inquiry and understanding. We must differentiate between discussing a phenomenon and endorsing it,' she added. According to her, approaching the subject from a socio-cultural rather than ideological standpoint helps students understand how global narratives shape local identity without forcing them to abandon their core values. She further said that at the university level, interdisciplinary courses in communication, sociology, and religious studies are already examining Western portrayals of gender and sexuality, contrasting them with Malaysian perspectives to foster dialogue rather than division. 'These analyses are then contrasted with local norms, allowing students to appreciate both divergence and coexistence without being forced into binary positions,' she said. Ultimately, both academics agree that silence and fear-based avoidance do more harm than good. When difficult conversations are handled with wisdom, they promote understanding, not conflict. In this digital era, preparing young Malaysians isn't just about protecting them, it's about empowering them to think deeply, act wisely, and engage the world with both strength and compassion.
