KUALA LUMPUR – Not all social media platforms affect young users equally, with some posing higher risks to emotional health, self-esteem, and social connections, according to a recent study highlighted by a psychologist.
Family therapist K.C. Chiang cited a Netherlands-based study comparing five major platforms – TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp and Discord – noting significant differences in how they influence young users.
“The finding was that TikTok and YouTube were the most harmful, most harmful to the emotional well-being, to the self-esteem, as well as friends' closeness,” she said during the Scoop Insight podcast, hosted by Scoop's Head of Podcast, Shazmin Shamsuddin.
Chiang explained that Instagram also showed negative effects but was “not as bad as TikTok and YouTube,” while WhatsApp and Discord offered a more balanced mix of benefits and drawbacks.
She attributed the differences to the nature of user engagement.
“The actual feeding itself is a passive, even though it's interactive, but in a way it is passive,” Chiang said, referring to algorithm-driven content on TikTok and YouTube.
“And the interaction when a child uses TikTok and YouTube is not quite a meaningful interaction,” she added.
In comparison, platforms such as WhatsApp and Discord tend to encourage more genuine social connections, focusing on communication with known individuals and shared interests.
Despite the potential online risks, Chiang cautioned against blaming social media alone for issues such as anxiety or low self-esteem, noting that other underlying factors often contribute.
“It is difficult to say whether it is direct. It is multiple factors,” she said, pointing to family environment and personal circumstances as significant influences.
Social media, she added, can serve both as an escape and an amplifier of existing challenges, especially for adolescents facing stress or tension at home.
Chiang emphasised that delaying social media use should not be about restriction, but rather creating meaningful alternatives.
“So you don't use social media. So what do you do? So that is the question,” she said, highlighting the importance of encouraging offline engagement.
She further noted that limiting screen time allows children to appreciate real-world interactions and activities essential for healthy development.
Ultimately, Chiang stressed that strong family relationships remain the most vital safeguard in managing digital exposure.
In line with this, the Malaysian government introduced the Online Safety Act (ONSA) earlier this year to strengthen the protection of children under 16 online. - April 21, 2026
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