JOHOR BARU: Operators of social media platforms should create more responsive mechanisms to deal with user complaints of cyberbullying, says the Young Malaysians Movement.

Its organising secretary Brevia Pan Woon Shien said the Internet allows people to stay anonymous and this encourages harmful behaviour and makes it much harder for victims to get justice.

“As a result, victims often feel helpless and unsupported, while the challenge of identifying and holding bullies accountable adds to the problem, causing significant psychological stress for those affected by cyberbullying,” she said when contacted.

She said this when asked to comment on a report in The Star last week that an average of about 850 TikTok videos in Malaysia are taken down daily due to elements of harassment and bullying.

By providing necessary data support, she said social media companies can assist in the investigation of cyberbullying cases.

Pan added that prompt action in response to these reports can significantly reduce the harm caused by delays.

“Simpler, multilingual reporting channels should be offered to ensure accessibility for all users.

“Additionally, active cooperation between these platforms and legal institutions is essential for tracking down and punishing perpetrators,” she said.

Pan said public education is another critical element in the fight against cyberbullying.

“Raising awareness about online safety and digital etiquette can better equip individuals to identify and respond to cyberbullying at an early stage,” she said.

Pan said government agencies also need to intensify law enforcement and impose severe penalties on those who engage in cyberbullying.

Meanwhile, Johor Youth Council president Mohammad Alif A. Rahim said social media users should be responsible by reporting negative content.

“Any negative content made by content creators, and negative comments from users that contain elements such as cyberbullying, violence, hatred, and misconduct, must be reported so they can be removed and appropriate action taken.

“By reducing negative content, we can help alleviate harmful psychological impacts on individuals, such as anxiety and stress, and create a more positive online environment,” he said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/26/more-can-be-done-to-combat-cyberbullying-say-activists