On Sunday, 11 May 2025, a delegation was led to Shanghai, China, to officially sign a cooperation agreement with the Institute of Sociology at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. This agreement marks an important step in strengthening academic collaboration and mutual understanding between both institutions. Moving forward, joint efforts will include organising seminars, conferences, and forums, along with a five-year research project focused on youth-related issues. These initiatives aim to promote dialogue and the sharing of academic knowledge and resources.

At the International Symposium on the Digital Society and Youth Development, an opening speech was delivered to explore the key challenges faced by young people in Malaysia and Southeast Asia in the digital age. Several major concerns were highlighted. Although Malaysia’s internet usage rate has reached 96.8%, there remains a gap of more than 30% in advanced digital skills between urban and rural students. This limits the ability of many youths to compete and succeed in a digital world. Additionally, the digital environment is changing how young people are likely to think and feel, with potential overuse of virtual platforms raising concerns about mental health. According to UNICEF, more than half of youths report a clear gap between how they present themselves online and who they are in real life, which can lead to a disconnect that contributes to stress and anxiety.

To tackle these issues, we have shared a vision towards building a digital ecosystem for youth that is resilient, fair, and forward-thinking. The following strategies were proposed:

• Make digital citizenship education a standard part of school curriculums, teaching students how to evaluate information and use media responsibly

• Set up support systems in schools to build mental resilience, including “Digital Mental Health Watchpoints” that use AI tools and mental health indicators to monitor and respond to students’ digital habits and well-being

• Encourage youth to move from passive consumers to active creators by developing “community digital learning spaces” to boost their sense of belonging and creativity

• Strengthen ASEAN regional collaboration by aligning policies in important areas like cybersecurity and data governance.

Several Malaysian scholars also contributed to the forum, sharing valuable insights on how digitalisation is shaping youth culture and values. Among those that attended were:

• Associate Professor Dr Yee Mun Chin from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), with “Lying Flat: Malaysian Chinese Youth in Transition”

• Associate Professor Dr Yew Wong Chin from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), with “The Impact of Social Media on Cultural Identity Among Urban Malaysian Youth”

• MCA Sabah Youth State Chairman’s presentation on “The Evolution and Challenges of Youth Values in the Digital Age”

• Dr Martin Paul Davies, Principal of Henry VIII College Malaysia, with “The Impact of Technology on Campus Culture.”

This symposium offered a valuable platform for multidisciplinary and regional exchange, providing fresh momentum to build a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

Dato’ Dr. Monna Ong Siew Siew
MCA Public Policy and People’s Livelihood Research Advisory Committee Chairperson

12 May 2025 

-MCA Comm-