Experts at an international symposium hosted by Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT) have warned that algorithm-driven social media platforms are increasingly shaping public perception, intensifying content polarisation, and influencing users’ mental well-being in ways that demand urgent digital literacy intervention.
The warning emerged during the Sync & Sanity: International Symposium on Digital Well-being, held online on 16 May 2026, which brought together academics, researchers, practitioners and community advocates from Malaysia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom to examine the growing psychological and societal impact of digital ecosystems.
The symposium centred on three key themes, which are digital literacy, mental resilience and sustainable connectivity.
Organised through a multi-institution collaboration involving UniKL, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, SALWA Selangor, the Association for Creative Culture Industries Researchers (ACCIR), and Wadah Selangor, the programme reflected growing regional concern over the societal impact of algorithmic media environments.
The opening plenary examined algorithm literacy, TikTok culture and content polarisation, with speakers highlighting how recommendation systems influence what users see and how they think.
Among the presenters were Ts. Dr. Juliana Jaafar from UniKL MIIT, who discussed algorithm literacy for healthier digital ecosystems, and Ms. Hira Ashraf from UniKL, who presented findings on content polarisation and algorithmic influence among Malaysian TikTok users.
The one-day symposium also featured invited speakers comprising Chief Executive Officer of the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia, Madam Mediha Mahmood; Prof. Dr. Khairul Anwar @ Johari Mastor from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Sami Salama Hussen Hajjaj from Multimedia University, who discussed digital governance, psychological resilience and artificial intelligence.
It further brought together experts on children’s online safety, cybersecurity awareness, mental health, visual communication and responsible digital engagement, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shafizan Mohamed from International Islamic University Malaysia, Dr. Rama Kertamukti from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Nur Izura Udzir from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr. Kim Ringmar Sylwander from the Digital Futures for Children centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Associate Professor Dr. Nur Kareelawati Abd Karim from USIM.
The programme concluded with a presentation by Dr. Jawahir Che Mustapha from UniKL MIIT, who examined everyday digital behaviour and the risks embedded in casual content sharing culture, particularly the “just sharing” mentality prevalent across social media and messaging platforms.
The symposium is tied to UniKL MIIT’s ongoing research initiatives, including a project on developing a digital literacy toolkit to address content polarisation in Malaysia, funded under the Ministry of Higher Education’s (MoHE) Social Innovation and Social Research Grant.
It also supports the development of Literakit.my, a digital literacy platform designed to provide accessible resources such as infographics, guidebooks and awareness videos covering topics including online safety, media literacy, digital parenting and ethical communication.
