Malaysian youth need critical media literacy to navigate LGBTQ+ conversations online

Sinar Daily

3 days ago

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.