Students' character development in engaging with social media in Malaysia: a preliminary study

Social media has become integral to students' daily lives, profoundly influencing their attitudes and character. Based on data released by DateReportal: Global Digital Insight, the use of social media in Malaysia as of January 2023 was 26.8 million, which is 78.5% of the total population. The highest use of the internet among teenagers is on online communication, which is 96.3%; following social media as much as 89.3%; and finding learning materials, which is very low by only 68.6%. On average, Internet users in Malaysia spend two hours and 47 minutes using social media daily, higher than the global average of two hours and 31 minutes. By employing a critical review analysis method, this study seeks to identify social media engagement among secondary school students in Malaysia. The study found that the themes generated for students' character development in engaging with social media in Malaysia can be identified as positive and negative influences on character development, self-regulation, identity formation, and the role of digital literacy and guidance. This preliminary study highlights the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of social media on students' character development in Malaysia. Policymakers, educators, and parents must work together to create an environment that maximises the benefits of social media while mitigating its risks.