From scrolling to learning, Surf’s Up forum highlights the rise of purposeful social media use
With the right approach, creators can use platforms like TikTok as an open canvas to craft meaningful, educational material that inspires, informs and aligns with community values.
MELAKA – Social media has evolved far beyond just a source of entertainment; it has become a vast space for learning, sharing knowledge and exploring academic content.
With the right approach, creators can use platforms like TikTok as an open canvas to craft meaningful, educational material that inspires, informs and aligns with community values.
Communication and Multimedia Content Forum (CMCF) chief executive officer (CEO) Mediha Mahmood said parents often underestimate the value of platforms like TikTok, assuming they are purely for leisure.
“Many parents, especially those who aren’t active on social media, often scold their children for spending too much time on TikTok.
@tiktok_malaysiaSurf's Up at UTeM!TikTok's empowering the next generation to make their mark online, with over 300 grads pledging to go #OnlineWithAPurposeMassive shoutout to our incredible speakers @Aiszzy Electronics and @Hazeman Huzir and Aliff Zakaria, Mediha Mahmood and Ts. Dr. Muhammad Noorazlan Shah for keeping it realThe digital world is yours to own ; #ThinkTwice before you post!#முதலில்சிந்தியுங்கள்#SpreadKindness#FikirDulu original sound- TikTok Malaysia
“They assume it’s just for entertainment. But as creators out there have shown, it can also be a platform for learning. My own children don’t even use Google any more when they need information; they go straight to TikTok,” she said during the ‘Surf’s Up: Deputies of Digital Literacy forum’ on Nov 1, held at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) here recently.
Mediha stated that this shift reflects how social media now shapes the way families search, share and engage with content.
“If we’re planning a trip and I ask where to eat, they’ll say, ‘Let’s check TikTok.’ That shows just how much influence social media holds today,” she added.
However, she reminded users that with influence comes responsibility. Too many people, she said, create content purely to provoke reactions, believing that controversy drives engagement.
But when creators focus solely on attention, they risk losing credibility, trust and reputation, all of which are crucial for building a sustainable career online.
She urged users to create and consume content more consciously, with awareness and purpose.
“Whether you are a parent, a young user, or a creator, you carry personal accountability for everything you post or share. We should all make a personal promise to be more ethical, credible and trustworthy online,” she added.
Centred on the theme “Online with a Purpose,” the event urged Malaysians, especially youth and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students, to rethink how they engage with technology and social platforms.
Instead of scrolling aimlessly, speakers encouraged audiences to create with intention, share with responsibility and use digital tools to shape a smarter, safer online culture.
Hosted by digital creator and humanitarian Hazeman Huzir, the forum brought together a dynamic panel featuring Mediha, TikTok Malaysia Public Policy Manager Aliff Zakaria, Aiszzy Electronics Founder and Content Creator Professional Technologist Aqilah Zainuddin and UTeM Faculty of Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security academician Dr Muhammad Noorazlan Shah.
Turning TikTok into a tool for learning
Meanwhile, Noorazlan said content creation can serve as a digital portfolio for students.
“I often ask my students what motivates them to create content and the answers really depend on the individual.
“Some are driven by the desire for visibility. Even our own institution, UTeM, has TikTok accounts. It’s about maintaining presence and visibility, but that visibility must follow the right rules and boundaries,” he said.
He described that employers now consider social media presence as part of their hiring decisions.
“Employers today conduct background checks on candidates’ social media profiles. If a student’s content lacks value or professionalism, it affects their impression, even if they have a strong Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA),” he added.
To address this, he encourages students to use TikTok and other platforms to build meaningful, skill-based content that reflects their capabilities.
Noorazlan added that the Higher Education Ministry aims for at least five per cent of graduates to become entrepreneurs.
“Social media helps students build portfolios, promote products and strengthen job applications.
“However, they shouldn’t rely entirely on it. Use generative AI as a supportive tool, but never depend on it completely,” he said.
A platform for creativity, STEM and community
Representing TikTok Malaysia, Aliff highlighted how the platform’s role has evolved. Once known purely for entertainment, TikTok is now a hub for creative education and community-driven learning.
“Users have shaped movements like EduTalk and Learn on TikTok, showing how creativity and education can coexist,” he said.
He also introduced the platform’s STEM feature, a dedicated tab that curates videos related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“It’s part of our effort to make learning engaging and accessible. We want TikTok to be a space that entertains, inspires and educates,” Aliff added.
From engineer to educator
One of the forum’s most inspiring voices, Aqilah shared how she turned her engineering skills into impactful educational content.
As the founder of Aiszzy Electronics, she uses social media to teach coding, prototyping and electronics through short, engaging videos.
“I used to be an introvert who preferred working quietly behind the scenes. But people kept telling me to share what I know.
“Eventually, I realised that my skills could inspire others, especially those who never had access to engineering education,” she said.
During her session “Tik-Talk: From Engineer to Creator,” Aqilah demonstrated how she teaches users to build simple prototypes such as smart watering systems and electronic projects using accessible, low-cost tools.
“My platform is a learning space for anyone curious about technology. We’ve supplied kits to over a hundred schools so students can learn basic programming and electronics. My goal is to educate and inspire the next generation of technopreneurs,” she said.
A new digital mindset
One message resonated across the room: technology may evolve, but responsibility never changes.
Social media has grown into a vast, powerful space, a digital ecosystem where ideas travel fast and influence runs deep.
With tools like TikTok, AI and online learning platforms, Malaysians have more opportunities than ever to learn, teach and connect. But the challenge remains the same: to use these tools with purpose and integrity.
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