Latest news with #ManipalUniversityCollegeMalaysia
Sinar Daily
19 hours ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
The algorithm effect: How social media feeds are normalising aggression in children
SHAH ALAM – Social media platforms may be unintentionally fuelling bullying by repeatedly feeding young users harmful and violent content. Experts warned that this constant exposure desensitises children to harm, distorts their understanding of consequences and embeds pro-aggression norms that spill over into real-life schoolyard behaviour. Manipal University College Malaysia Criminologist Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff said bullying is rarely caused by a single factor, but often emerges from a complex mix of personal, social, environmental, and situational influences. 'Bullying at school involving young age, reflects more pertinent issues such as control and power, apathy, pro-delinquent attitudes, decay of moral values, influence from violent content accessible online or offline, or unwilling bystanders to report or interfere. 'It could be rooted to one factor in a specific case, but mostly is a result of a combination of multiple factors,' she said when reached out by Sinar Daily recently. Nadiah emphasised that a lack of parental engagement during early childhood development plays a crucial role. Empathy, she explained, begins to form between the ages of 3 and 5. Poor parenting during this period, she added, can hinder emotional growth and cognitive empathy. 'Without proper guidance, children may grow into individuals who are self-centred, dismissive of others' rights, demanding, and prone to aggression at the slightest provocation,' she said. She also noted the increasing dominance of screen time in children's lives, with many glued to devices from a young age. This, she said, reduces real-life family interaction, even when everyone is physically together, and heightens exposure to online risks. Nadiah stated that spending more time online logically leads to greater exposure to digital threats and increased vulnerability. This not only raises the risk of engaging in inappropriate online behaviour but also of becoming a victim of cyberbullying or other forms of cyber harm. Nadiah further warned that excessive internet use can fuel a host of issues, from cyberbullying and internet addiction to mental health challenges. 'A substantial amount of research showed that high internet engagement, or worse, online addiction, can lead to various problematic behaviours, both online and offline,' she said. Nadiah pointed out that excessive screen time can lead to agitation, impulsiveness, and poor attention span, while also limiting the development of key interpersonal skills, making it harder to manage emotions and handle pressure effectively. On the other hand, University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Human Ecology, Department of Social and Development Sciences, senior lecturer, Dr Wan Munira Wan Jaafar said rising bullying cases in Malaysia are driven by shifts in family dynamics, school environments, community structures and online culture. With almost all Malaysian youths active on social media, cyberbullying has become easier, more anonymous, and more damaging, often amplified by viral sharing, said University Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Human Ecology, Department of Social and Development Sciences, senior lecturer, Dr Wan Munira Wan Jaafar. Photo: Canva 'With almost all Malaysian youths active on social media, cyberbullying has become easier, more anonymous, and more damaging, often amplified by viral sharing. 'At the same time, some children grow up in homes where harsh discipline or domestic violence normalises aggression, while school environments with weak enforcement or seniority culture can encourage bullying to gain status,' she told Sinar Daily recently. She noted that popular culture and online content that glorify violence or humiliation influence behaviour, especially among boys pressured to assert dominance. In urban areas, the breakdown of close-knit 'kampung' communities has also reduced adult supervision and weakened informal social control. While the Education Ministry has anti-bullying guidelines, Munira said enforcement is often inconsistent, and reluctance to openly address cases can allow the issue to persist unchecked. Research has consistently shown that repeated exposure to violent content, be it in films, TV, or video games, can desensitise children, distort empathy, and reinforce the idea that violence is a legitimate way to resolve conflicts. Munira said in Malaysia, where many youths spend long hours online with little parental oversight, the impact can be even greater. 'Violent media often rewards dominance and humiliation, subtly teaching that such behavior gains respect or entertainment value; attitudes that can spill over into school bullying,' she added. She further said that from a psychological perspective, Social Learning Theory explains that children imitate behaviours that appear to gain approval or rewards. Cultivation Theory further warns that repeated exposure to violent media gradually shifts a child's worldview, making aggression seem normal or acceptable. She added that although not all children exposed to such content become bullies, those lacking strong family guidance, facing peer pressure, or growing up in poorly managed school environments are particularly vulnerable. Munira also emphasised how harmful online trends, such as public shaming, humiliation "challenges", or mocking videos, are often rewarded with likes and shares, reinforcing toxic behaviour among youth. 'In Malaysia, where TikTok, Instagram, and X are highly popular among young users, social approval often comes from aggressive or humiliating content. This sends a message that such behaviour is not only acceptable, but entertaining,' she said. Munira linked these patterns to Symbolic Interactionism, which explains how the meaning of bullying is redefined through repeated online exposure, transforming it from something 'harmful' to something perceived as 'funny' or 'normal.' 'Peer validation in school now mirrors 'likes' on social media. Once bullying behaviour is normalised online, it becomes easier for it to be replicated offline,' she added. The rise in bullying, both online and offline, also reflects wider generational and societal shifts. Today's children, members of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are the first to grow up entirely immersed in digital environments. Their social lives, entertainment, and sense of identity are all shaped online. In Malaysia, Munira said that this has led to a culture where validation is measured in shares and comments, encouraging behaviour that draws attention, even if it involves humiliation or aggression. 'From a sociological perspective, Symbolic Interactionism helps explain how constant engagement with online content reshapes the meaning of acceptable behavior, while Social Learning Theory suggests that young people model behaviours, including bullying that gain social rewards in digital spaces,' she added. She pointed out that society has shifted away from communal child-rearing to individualised, screen-focused parenting, reducing adult supervision and allowing digital norms to influence real-world behaviour. 'The result is a generation increasingly exposed to, and sometimes accepting of bullying as part of daily social interaction,' she said.
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Sinar Daily
Leaking military details sabotage national security efforts, gives criminals the upper hand
SHAH ALAM - Leaking military operational details can sabotage national security, giving organised criminals a crucial advantage over enforcement agencies, while also endangering public health and safety. Manipal University College Malaysia criminologist Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff explained that insider leaks of military operations could have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate failure of security measures. 'Leaking military operational details can directly sabotage security efforts, causing planned operations to fail, exposing tactical methods and compromising ongoing counter-smuggling measures. This puts organised criminals one step ahead of enforcement at all times. 'Indirectly, it breeds distrust between agencies, making them reluctant to share sensitive information for fear of leaks, which in turn hampers inter-agency coordination,' she told Sinar Daily. Senior military officers' involvement in organised smuggling poses a serious national security threat, undermining Malaysia's defence integrity and enabling other illicit trades. Photo: MACC Nadiah also highlighted the public health and safety implications if military assistance facilitated contraband smuggling. She pointed out that if contraband like drugs was smuggled with military assistance, the public health and safety risks were enormous. 'Easier access to illegal substances can lead to a surge in drug abuse, lower street prices and greater availability to youths and vulnerable groups. This could also introduce new, more dangerous drugs into the market. 'From a health standpoint, we would likely see more overdoses, higher rates of communicable diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis and a spike in substance-related mental health issues. 'On the safety front, an abundance of drugs can drive up violent crime rates and youth involvement in trafficking. Loose border security also opens the door for other organised crimes like human trafficking, firearm smuggling and money laundering,' she added. On measures to deter such conduct, Nadiah emphasised the need for strict punishments and protective incentives. In terms of deterrence, she believes punishments should be strict enough to make officials think twice before engaging in such crimes. 'Involvement in smuggling syndicates should be treated as an aggravated offence, especially when committed in uniform, with higher sentencing bands for those found guilty. 'Lifetime bans from public office, security roles or regulated industries should be mandatory, alongside penalties like pension forfeiture, benefit clawbacks and disqualification from security-related work. 'Positive deterrents are equally important. Offering bonuses, whistle-blower rewards and strong protection for those who provide tips leading to convictions can encourage integrity while reducing opportunities for syndicate infiltration at every level,' she said. On Aug 14, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) remanded five senior Armed Forces officers for their alleged involvement in a smuggling syndicate operating in the southern region of Malaysia. The officers, from the military intelligence division, were accused of colluding with the syndicate and leaking operational information to help them evade enforcement actions. The five senior officers were among 10 individuals arrested in raids across the Klang Valley, with the remaining detainees including two online media journalists, a company manager, an administrative assistant at the Malaysian Medical Association and a foreign national. Investigations revealed that the syndicate smuggled drugs, cigarettes and other contraband worth an estimated RM5 million monthly and bribed the officers with RM30,000 to RM50,000 per operation. MACC seized over RM63,000 in cash, drugs, weighing equipment, liquor and imitation firearms from the premises. Senior MACC official Saiful Ezral Arifin confirmed that the case is being investigated under corruption-related and money laundering offences. Remand orders, ranging from two to seven days, were issued by magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin at the Putrajaya magistrates' court.
Sinar Daily
5 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Post-mortem crucial in suspicious deaths, criminologist says
The procedure is vital to determine the actual cause of death. An autopsy or post-mortem process is an important procedure and is mandatory if there are suspicious elements in any death case in the country. Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily SHAH ALAM – An autopsy or post-mortem process is an important procedure and is mandatory if there are suspicious elements in any death case in the country. Manipal University College Malaysia Criminologist Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff said the procedure is vital to determine the actual cause of death. She cited cases involving suspected criminal elements such as murder, sudden unexplained deaths and the death of minors as examples requiring such examinations. 'For suspicious deaths, investigations related to the death should be conducted at an early stage. 'This includes post-mortem examinations as referred to in Sections 329 and 330 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Both sections impose the obligation on police officers to investigate the death and the need to carry out a post-mortem to determine the cause," she said. A post-mortem examination is an important and mandatory procedure if there are suspicious elements in a death case. Photo for illustrative purpose. Inset: Nadiah Syariani Nadiah Syariani explained that the Criminal Procedure Code outlines the legal steps for death investigations, with Section 329 requiring police to investigate deaths and Section 330 demanding that a post-mortem is one of the medicolegal procedures involved in determining the cause. She said in reference to the case of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir, whose grave was recently exhumed for a post-mortem to determine the cause of her death. Addressing the possible consequences of not conducting a post-mortem when a death is first recorded, Nadiah Syariani said it could result in a wave of public speculation, as seen in Zara Qairina's case. 'Ideally, a post-mortem should be conducted at an early stage, especially in suspicious death cases such as this, to avoid subsequent issues arising. These issues may be related to the overall investigation, as well as questions concerning post-mortem findings in cases where the body is in an advanced stage of decomposition,' she said. She added that authorities should also consider holding an inquest for the case, given the high level of public attention, similar to the cases of the late Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim and Teoh Beng Hock.
