00:00Typically, what begins as a quick glance at a notification often spirals into half an
00:06hour of scrolling, making the phone hard to put down.
00:09But experts say excessive phone use isn't just about lacking self-control.
00:14It's also about the digital platforms that are deliberately designed to keep users engaged
00:19for as long as possible.
00:20Speaking at the International Regulatory Conference 2026, Relate Malaysia founder Dr. Chua Suk
00:26Ning said, unhealthy digital use begins when people are unable to disconnect from their
00:32devices and social media even when they want to.
00:36That Chua said, has a negative effect on personal relationships.
00:40It starts to impact maybe even our concentration in class that I feel when I want to stop, I
00:48can't.
00:49So even if we take away the device, I might be thinking about it.
00:52I might be thinking, oh, I wonder if anyone responds, I wonder what pose there was.
00:56Especially if you're looking for feedback, right?
01:00Chua said, that outcome isn't accidental.
01:04She argued that social networks intentionally maximise engagement because it's central to
01:09their business model.
01:11Content Forum Malaysia CEO Mediha Mahput said, concerns over doom scrolling go beyond the content
01:17itself.
01:18She said algorithms repeatedly push similar material, keeping users in the same tunnel of content.
01:24Features such as autoplay, infinite scrolling and red notification badges are also intentionally
01:30designed to keep people engaged.
01:33Mediha said, regulators can no longer focus only on policing harmful content.
01:38They also need to examine whether algorithms manipulate users or repeatedly expose them to
01:44harmful material.
01:45platforms.
01:46However, she stressed that responsibility should be shared between users, platforms and regulators,
01:52as platforms are responsible for their design, but cannot be blamed for every individual's
01:57behaviour.
01:58Now to your question, how much are they responsible for their design?
02:03100%.
02:04Absolutely, fully, fully responsible for the design that they have decided on, for the design
02:09that they have launched.
02:11But does this mean that they are immediately having a blanket responsibility for each individual
02:17outcome from that design?
02:18I don't think so.
02:20I don't think so.
02:20Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Managing Director for Development Ening Farida
02:25Iskandar said, whether doom scrolling requires regulatory action depends on the type of content
02:30and whether it leads to harmful behaviour or addiction.
02:34She said the Online Safety Act and Risk Mitigation Code already require major platforms to assess risks
02:40and adopt safety by design measures, including testing and adapting their algorithms.
02:46But regulation has its limits.
02:49Ening says tackling excessive device use will also require education, parental control and
02:54greater public awareness.
02:56She said future measures would depend on the harms identified and the direction of public policy.
03:03Adrienne Fernandez, FMT.
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