LETTERS: After 25 years in academia, it is sad to observe the decline of critical thinking in society.
This is apparent on social media, which is full of abusive and insulting content.
It's clear that certain users lack decorum in using these platforms.
It seems that some are trapped within their emotional domain, which restricts their ability to develop critical-thinking skills and become competent users of social media.
Consider, for example, how certain netizens comment on the efforts of our athletes in the Paris Olympics. Even getting an Olympic medal won't shield them from rude and hurtful comments.
Such harsh words are bound to impact their athletes and may even break their spirit.
These same Netizens will then wonder why our country has not won an Olympic gold medal.
Their way of expressing their opinion demonstrates a serious lack of ability to evaluate issues, besides analysing the consequences of their messages and online conduct.
Given the increasingly negative way people express themselves on social media, it seems that there is no safe place in the digital world, particularly for young users.
Despite measures and guidelines put in place by educational institutions to teach people on the use of social media. more measures are needed.
In this regard, I commend the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) move to regulate social media and Internet messaging service providers.
MCMC states on its website that "this regulatory framework will hold the Internet messaging service and social media service providers accountable in conducting their business operations in Malaysia, including managing illegal and harmful content, as well as strengthening their systems and processes to mitigate the prevalence of cyber crimes on their platforms".
If those in the industry want to stay in the market, they should improve their systems and processes to offer a safe environment for users and safeguard them from all forms of cybercrimes.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR ROHAYA MOHD NOR
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times