Social media risks for youth include grooming and misinformation

Experts are raising concerns regarding the risks young people face on social media platforms, specifically concerning safety and information accuracy.

In Malaysia, security and self-defense consultant Saiful Hamiruzzaman Mohd Hazir warns that children under 16 often use social media to seek information not provided by parents or schools. This curiosity can lead to dangerous encounters, including grooming and sexual exploitation, where children may share or sell private content to strangers.

Additionally, an investigation by The Guardian into TikTok content has found that more than half of the top 100 videos under the #mentalhealthtips hashtag contain misleading information. Experts, including neuropsychiatry researcher David Okai, noted that many influencers misuse therapeutic language or offer instant solutions for complex issues like trauma, anxiety, and depression. Psychiatrist Dan Poulter added that some content pathologizes everyday emotions, potentially causing confusion regarding actual mental health conditions.