Rohani warns about the dangers of social media sites

PUTRAJAYA: The rise of social media has caused people to become bolder in posting something that may have once been considered taboo, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim (pix).
She added that this was because social media users were not obliged to disclose their true identity and could create their own Internet persona.
"A sense of daringness really can surface with social media. There are pros and cons to it as people can now express (their thoughts), like never before.
"Previously, there was only interpersonal communication, but now anything can be written in social media as their identities are not disclosed," she told a press conference after launching the "Saya Pilih Integriti" (I Choose Integrity) programme and Whistleblower Protection Policy at the ministry here today.
Although social media sites are not entirely to be blamed, Rohani said it was partly the cause for certain social values to vanish.
"As much as we are moving towards a developed nation, do not let it cause us to lose our own culture," she said, adding that the issue is not only limited to Malaysia but all over the world.
She also highlighted the language and jargons usage in social media communications have transferred over to being used in even official writings.
"Lingo such as 'lol' and 'bff' have been seeping into our education system," she said.
Rohani urged those with information related to misappropriation to come forward and become a whistleblower.
"Some people with information feel uncomfortable to come forward with it as they are not only worried about their safety, but also that of their family.
"We want them to be confident (of their safety) so that they will come forward naturally," she said, adding that the Whistleblower Protection Policy will provide assurance for those with valuable information to come forward without having to worry about their personal safety.