Sarawak is steadily advancing toward a digital future by embracing smart living, responsible media practices, and technological innovation. In an era of disruption, technology is not only transforming daily life but also strengthening communication between institutions, media, and communities.
As part of building a smarter, more connected society, Sarawak also leverages digital platforms as communication bridges between the community and corporate bodies. This initiative strengthens transparency and trust among local residents and external investors.
Social media continues to play a crucial role in tourism development. According to RTM, digital content has become a powerful tool in promoting Sarawak’s tourism destinations – creating immersive and attractive messaging that supports the state’s goals of building a smart and sustainable tourism ecosystem.
However, as digital adoption increases, emotional well-being among youth has become a growing concern. A recent report highlights that 42% of Malaysian teenagers experience emotional stress due to excessive social media use, affecting their mental health and overall balance in life.
Challenges vs Benefits of Social Media Use in Sarawak
| Aspect | Challenges | Benefits |
| Mental Health | 42% of teens report emotional distress | Greater social interaction and expression |
| Family Relationships | Less quality time offline | Easier, faster communication across generations |
| Tourism Promotion | Risk of misinformation | Creative and wide-reaching promotion |
| Media Professionalism | Lack of ethics in some reporting | Faster and clearer public information sharing |
Table 1: Comparison of challenges and benefits of social media usage in Sarawak, highlighting its impact on mental health, family relationships, tourism promotion, and media professionalism.
Looking ahead, Sarawak shows strong commitment toward building a digital ecosystem that supports innovation, leadership, and social well-being. Continued collaboration between public institutions, private entities, and communities ensures steady progress in digital transformation.
To move forward responsibly, Sarawak must also prioritize digital literacy, mental well-being, and ethical communication. Empowering youth, strengthening trust through transparency, and promoting responsible media practices will be key to lasting impact.
With integrity and shared vision, Sarawak is not just preparing for the digital age—it is setting the standard for others to follow.
References
- https://suarasarawak.my/bomba-disaran-guna-media-sosial-secara-berhemah-dan-profesional/
- https://www.tvsarawak.my/2025/01/07/tyt-saran-ukas-mpi-bekerjasama-tingkat-tahap-profesionalisme-pengamal-media-sarawak/
- https://suarasarawak.my/emosi-generasi-muda-era-digital/
- https://malaysiaaktif.my/2024/10/media-sarawak-sebagai-jambatan-komunikasi-antara-masyarakat-dengan-petronas/
- https://www.kompasiana.com/hen12684/66a797afed641564ce5786a2/media-sosial-dan-keakraban-keluarga-meningkatkan-hubungan-melalui-interaksi-digital-di-era-disrupsi
- https://berita.rtm.gov.my/nasional/senarai-berita-nasional/senarai-artikel/media-sosial-antara-medium-bantu-promosi-pelancongan-di-sarawak
- https://suarautama.id/pengaruh-media-sosial-terhadap-hubungan-keluarga/
- https://www.tvsarawak.my/2024/05/26/sarawak-komited-sokong-industri-media-profesional-pupuk-inovasi-abdullah/
- https://themalaysiapost.com/kesan-negatif-positif-pengaruh-media-sosial-terhadap-hubungan-kekeluargaan/
- https://premierdept.sarawak.gov.my/web/subpage/news_view/1962/UKAS
