Many parents turn to short social media videos and reels for parenting advice. These are meant to complement, not replace professional medical advice.
NOT long ago, a mother brought her three-year-old child to my clinic because he had not started speaking in sentences like other children his age.
His vocabulary was limited and he communicated mostly through gestures and single words.
After an assessment, I explained that he was showing signs of speech delay and would benefit from early intervention and speech therapy.
The mother hesitated.
She told me she had watched several TikTok videos claiming that some children simply “speak later” and eventually catch up on their own.
According to the videos, there was no cause for concern.
Her reaction was not unusual.
Increasingly, parents arrive at clinics not only with questions but also with information they have gathered online – some helpful but some misleading.
On another occasion in the neonatal nursery, a young mother was reluctant to breastfeed her newborn.
She had read a blog post by a social media influencer claiming that breast milk could worsen jaundice in newborns and that mothers should temporarily stop breastfeeding to help bilirubin levels fall.
In reality, breastfeeding is strongly encouraged for most newborns and stopping breastfeeding unnecessarily may deprive infants of important nutritional and immunological benefits.
While certain forms of jaundice require monitoring, decisions about feeding should always be guided by medical advice.
These encounters reflect a growing phenomenon in modern parenting – information overload.
Today’s parents have access to more information than any generation before them.
A quick search online can produce thousands of articles, videos and opinions on parenting.
Social media platforms are filled with advice on feeding, discipline, sleep routines, childhood illnesses and developmental milestones.
While this access to information can empower parents, it can also create confusion.
Advice from healthcare professionals often competes with content created by bloggers, influencers or online personalities who may not have medical training.
For many parents, it becomes difficult to determine which advice is reliable.
In clinic consultations, I often see parents silently weighing two sources of information: what they have read online and what they are hearing from their doctor.
It is not uncommon for them to wonder which one they should trust. This dilemma is understandable.
Parenting decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when the well-being of a child is at stake.
Yet, the challenge of misinformation makes credible sources of guidance more important than ever.
One such initiative is the Positive Parenting Programme.
It has become an abundant resource for Malaysian families.
Initiated by the Malaysian Paediatric Association in 2000, the programme was designed to bridge the gap between healthcare professionals and parents by providing reliable, evidence-based information.
It is a collaboration of various experts, sharing practical guidance on raising healthy children.
The hallmark of this parenting guide is its availability in two languages – Bahasa Malaysia and English.
Over time, the programme has expanded into a comprehensive digital platform where parents can access articles, guides and expert advice on a wide range of topics.
These include childhood nutrition, developmental milestones, respiratory infections, mental well-being and the impact of digital technology on children and teenagers.
I recall reading the last edition about RSV infections and the message was concise, clear and understandable by the public.
The infographics were engaging and attractive.
The message was successfully sent across.
Such initiatives aim to ensure that parents receive information grounded in medical evidence rather than online trends.
Social media is not inherently harmful; it can be a useful tool for sharing experiences and building support networks among parents.
Many parents now turn to short social media videos and reels for parenting advice.
These are meant to complement, not replace professional medical advice.
Parenthood has always involved learning, questioning and seeking guidance.
In today’s digital era, the challenge lies not in the lack of information but in navigating the vast amount available.
As parents strive to make the best decisions for their children, turning to trusted, evidence-based resources can help cut through the noise.
Doing so not only empowers parents but also helps ensure that children receive the care and support they need to grow and thrive.
Dr Naveen Nair Gangadaran is a paediatrician at Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar Seremban.
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