Malaysians increasingly turn to social media for advice, but the Board of Counsellors warns that unregulated opinions can overwhelm and mislead users. — Image by freepik
Malaysia’s Board of Counsellors, an agency under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, says it has observed a noticeable increase in people turning to social media platforms for advice since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Board member and counsellor Assoc Prof Dr Ooi Pei Boon says users are attracted to the accessibility and anonymity of online platforms and the speed at which they get responses.
“The anonymity allows people to express their concerns openly. With social networking sites, individuals’ needs can be met immediately, and it would satisfy their gratification,” Ooi says in a statement.
Another appeal of the platforms is their lack of expensive fees, says Ooi, and they allow users to gather diverse responses to the issues they may be facing.
Accessibility is another key point, says Ooi: “We would not deny that there is also a group of individuals who experience challenges to leave home, for example, those with social phobia or with disabilities or accessibility (issues). The platforms do sufficiently meet their needs,” she says.
She notes that the board has been receiving informal feedback from registered counsellors who have encountered clients referencing social media advice during sessions.
“There is growing concern among counsellors about the nature of the advice, which is often misinformed and can negatively influence users’ decision-making processes,” Ooi says.
Ooi says counselors report that their clients frequently bring up social media advice during sessions. — OOI PEI BOON
She too has encountered clients referencing or quoting feedback from social media as “the answer” to their issues.
“However, clients will gain insight and change their views when working with counsellors for professional services as the therapeutic relationship builds,” she says.
Ooi adds that the online content on social media platforms does not fall under the board’s purview unless it breaches professional standards of directly involved registered counsellors.
Information overload
Popular Facebook pages like Kisah Rumah Tangga (KRT), with over 1.5 million followers, frequently receive more than 10 messages daily from users wanting to share their problems, according to the admin (“Online support: Helpful or harmful”, LifestyleTech, Sept 23; online at bit.ly/tech_trouble).
Feedback can vary widely on social media. Some netizens provide positive support by encouraging individuals to stay strong, while others suggest products as solutions for marital issues. There are also instances where users criticise or judge individuals for what they see as poor decision-making.
Ooi says pages with a large following may significantly shape public opinion on personal relationships.
“However, the advice given in such forums is not regulated,” she says, adding that it could lead to harmful comments or misguided suggestions, such as advising someone to end a relationship.
“The board has concerns about the long-term impact of such advice, especially when offered without considering the complexity of each individual’s circumstances,” she says.
She further adds that some advice may trivialise relationship issues, reinforce unhealthy gender stereotypes, or promote quick fixes, such as recommending products to mend relationships.
“These approaches lack the sensitivity and professional insight required in such situations.”
While social media can be a valuable resource for gathering information, Ooi warns that it can also easily overwhelm users, leading to “information overload, psychological stress, and emotions like information anxiety”, causing them to struggle between what they understand and what they feel they should know.
“This often results in information avoidance, where people ignore relevant and valuable sources because they feel overwhelmed, ultimately missing out on important information,” Ooi says, adding that individuals shouldn’t rely on social media as a self-diagnosis tool or a final treatment plan.
KRT’s admin acknowledges the presence of negative comments but also believes that users can receive helpful advice from other members on the page who claim to be legal professionals or counselling experts.
Malaysians who participate in online discussions about personal issues such as relationship matters are encouraged to be mindful of the impact their words may have. Ooi says it’s important to foster a culture of empathy and non-judgemental listening.
“Rather than giving prescriptive advice, users should offer emotional support and encourage individuals to seek professional help when necessary. This shift toward more supportive and thoughtful interactions can help create safer and more respectful online spaces for all,” she adds.
