‘Netizens’ hands faster than their brains’

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31, 2015:

“The hand is faster than the brain” – this could be the case with eager netizens who spread information without verifying the news received.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) School of Psychology and Human Development lecturer Prof Dr Wan Shahrazad Wan Sulaiman said the description reflected social media users who spread false information causing problems to some.

“Our hands are sometimes so quick that we may not have time to think. We are quick to type and comment on Facebook or Instagram.

“In my view, technology now enables speedy information gathering but people lack the initiative to verify it.

“That is the effect of social media and it causes people to melatah (to speak deliriously),” he told The Rakyat Post when contacted.

Wan Shahrazad explained that such situations arose largely because information was so readily available that netizens were eager to share it via the borderless media.

“Psychologically, we view this as a form of social influence. Those receiving the information are not isolated despite receiving the information individually. However, virtual social networks overlap, causing others to be influenced.

“Thus, it leads people to melatah as the behaviour is influenced by emotions instead of thoughts.

“When we act, it has to be rational, logical and correct,” he added.

Throughout 2015, it has been observed that there were many social media wars in which netizens were quick in posting on their social media accounts.

For instance, a crucifix-like pattern on the roofs of a housing area in Langkawi caused an uproar on social media after a picture posted on Facebook went viral.

Following the uproar, the Langkawi District Council instructed the developer to paint over the structure.

In another incident, Malaysians went into a panic after a fake notice circulated on social media stating that electronic payment provider Touch ‘n Go would charge Goods and Services Tax for its reload service from 2016.

Meanwhile, freelance religious speaker Ustaz Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani described Malaysians as being overly sensitive on various issues.

He explained it would be in line with Islam only if sensitivities which led to melatah brought positivity.

However, the religious speaker said the happenings today clearly showed otherwise.

“In my view, the people are too sensitive in terms of race and religion.

“If melatah brings benefit, then it is commendable but when it brings a negative impact, that is keji (despicable),” he told The Rakyat Post.

He said melatah was completely different from being concerned with current issues.

This is because according to Islam, it is a must to show concern but when one spreads information that has yet to be verified, it has a bad effect on people.

“Whatever we do has to be based on knowledge because Islam requires it. However, when it is based on sentiments, the religion prohibits it,” he added.

He said Malaysians seemed to dislike learning which was a contributing factor in their reluctance to verify information before spreading it.

“The only way (to solve the problem) is to learn more because what is happening now is that we take something without tabayyun (to work hard to pursue the truth) and spread it,” he said.

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