SHAH ALAM - Grief can be an overwhelming experience for children and when combined with the pressure of social media attention, it can exacerbate feelings of sadness, confusion, or anxiety.
This is especially true if the loss was sudden or traumatic, potentially leading to secondary trauma.
In today's digital age, children dealing with loss often find their grief exposed to the public eye, caught in a whirlwind of online mourning.
While social media can offer a sense of support, the constant barrage of viral posts, news coverage and public opinions can deepen their distress.
For young minds, especially after a sudden or traumatic loss, the overwhelming attention online might not just intensify their grief—it can also shape their emotional well-being in ways that are not yet fully understood.
Psychiatrist and Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) President, Professor Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj, described that social media attention during grief can profoundly impact a child's psychological and emotional development, particularly when they are thrust into the spotlight for public mourning.
Unlike adults, children process grief differently and continuous exposure to online tributes, condolences and discussions about their loss can influence how they cope and how they see themselves.
"Being surrounded by public grieving, especially in digital spaces, can amplify their sadness, confusion, or anxiety. They may struggle to understand their own emotions while also reacting to an online audience’s responses.
"The pressure to respond to condolences or participate in digital memorials can force them to engage with their grief before they are ready, or in ways that feel unnatural," he told Sinar Daily when contacted today.
If the loss was sudden, traumatic, or controversial, exposure to public comments, news articles, or viral posts may add to their distress, even leading to secondary trauma, he added.
Public mourning can also affect a child’s sense of identity. When their grief becomes the focal point of online attention, they may feel defined by their loss rather than their personal growth.
Dr Andrew stated that this could make it harder for them to move forward, as they might feel stuck in the past, unable to engage fully with new experiences or relationships.
"Social media attention can also create an expectation that they must be ‘strong’ or show their grief in socially acceptable ways.
"Over time, this pressure can lead to emotional suppression, making it harder for them to express vulnerability or process their emotions genuinely,” he said.
To support children through their grief, Dr Andrew stressed the importance of prioritising their needs over public attention.
If their grief is shared online, it is vital to seek their consent and assess whether it helps or burdens them in the long term.
"As they grow, they should have the option to remove content related to their loss if it makes them uncomfortable,” he added.
Dr Andrew recommended creating safe, private spaces—whether through therapy or family discussions—to help children process their emotions in a healthier way compared to digital memorials.
Above all, he emphasised the need to allow children to shape their own narrative of loss, focusing on personal growth rather than societal expectations or social media influence.