“Google said anal sex is okay, but my husband said we can’t. Then I realised it is a sin in Islam” - How Malaysians navigate sexual health education in intercultural new media

Abstract

In Malaysia, sexual health education is considered taboo due to religious and cultural beliefs, resulting in its absence from educational institutions. Consequently, individuals turn to the internet and social media for online sexual health education that are predominantly in English and reflecting Western perspectives and ideals. This poses challenges for users as they navigate both the scarcity of locally relevant sources due to the taboo nature of sexual health education and the diverse approaches to sexual health education that do not align with Malaysian contexts. In-depth interviews were conducted with Malaysian social media users aged 18-34, representing the demographic with the highest social media usage. These interviews provided insights into their experiences navigating Western resources, revealing the inadequate representation of their religious, social, and cultural values in online sexual health education resources. Concerns were expressed regarding language differences, the need for fact-checking to avoid misinformation, and managing information overload. Additionally, the interviewees also adopted culture and religion checking with trusted gatekeepers. This research explores how individuals navigate intercultural new media for online sexual health education. Specifically, it investigates the experiences and strategies adopted by Malaysians to navigate and develop their understanding of sexual health within these intercultural spaces. Ultimately, this study raises questions about the impact of intercultural new media for online sexual health education across diverse groups, contexts, and countries. It highlights the significance of facilitating access to online sexual health education at the individual, community, and societal levels.