The Rise of Digital Begging in Malaysia: An Analysis of its Driving Factors

The rapid expansion of social media has transformed the ways individuals seek financial assistance, giving rise to the emerging phenomenon of digital begging. Unlike conventional begging, digital begging involves soliciting donations through live streaming, social media posts and other online platforms without direct face-to-face interaction. In Malaysia, this practice has become increasingly visible through emotionally persuasive appeals, the strategic use of religious narratives and the exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly children. Despite its growing prevalence, comprehensive research on digital begging within the Malaysian context remains limited. This study aims to identify the forms of digital begging in Malaysia, examine the factors driving its emergence and persistence, and evaluate existing legal and institutional responses. A qualitative documentary research design was adopted using secondary data from scholarly publications, official documents and publicly accessible digital content. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that digital begging is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by the interaction of economic, psychological, sociocultural, digital and religious factors. Religion functions not only as a source of legitimacy but also as a mechanism for persuasion and strategic fundraising. Digital platforms reinforce the phenomenon through live streaming, virtual gifting systems and algorithm-driven content distribution. The findings further reveal that Malaysia's existing legal and regulatory framework has yet to address digital begging as a distinct form of online financial solicitation. This study contributes to the emerging literature by presenting an integrated analytical framework for understanding digital begging in Malaysia. The findings provide practical insights for policymakers, digital platform providers, religious institutions and researchers in developing more effective strategies to address this increasingly complex social phenomenon.