KUALA LUMPUR, November 20 – As Malaysia’s youth spend an average of eight hours a day online, the nation faces a growing need to balance digital fluency with emotional awareness.
With over 97% of Malaysians connected to the Internet and 91% of young adults active on social media, the rise of virtual interactions has brought new challenges, including social comparison, cyberbullying, and mental health concerns.
Experts, including Taylor’s University lecturer Jolene Chong Yen Yen, emphasize that emotional intelligence (EI) — the ability to understand and manage emotions — must now be seen as a vital life skill alongside digital literacy.
By nurturing empathy, self-regulation, and emotional resilience at home, in schools, and across workplaces, Malaysia can empower its digital generation to navigate technology with compassion, responsibility, and confidence in an increasingly connected world.
