Younger Malaysians closer to friends and family due to Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite dealing with a more stressful environment, a survey has found that younger Malaysians have grown closer to friends and family members since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

The survey by Snap Inc found that 58% of Gen Z and millennial Malaysians have said they have more appreciation for their family, while 54% said they have grown closer since the pandemic.

It also found that the top three things that Malaysian Gen Z and millennials cannot go a day without are checking social communication and/or camera apps (61%), taking a nap (56%) and talking to their parents/family (51%).

"As a result of this pandemic, Malaysians also have a renewed appreciation for friends and family and will carry this deep need for connection as a defining characteristic," it said in a press statement on Saturday (March 20).

The survey polled more than 8,200 respondents from five countries - Malaysia, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and India.

Snap Inc added that the survey also showed that 93% of Gen Z and millennial Malaysian respondents have described themselves as a generation that is kind to others, with 93% saying that they are independent, and 88% saying that they care about the environment.

It also pointed out that 84% of Malaysian respondents have said they are focused strongly on making their families proud, which is the highest among the five countries polled.

The Snap Inc survey also found that Malaysian Gen Z and millennials are navigating in an increasingly stressful environment due to pressure to excel, where 44% have said they feel stressed out weekly while 70% said they felt stressed out monthly.

"In general, there is a growing need to grow up fast, as 77% of Gen Z and millennial Malaysians feel that they are expected to act like adults from a young age, the highest among the five Asia-Pacific countries surveyed," it added.

Snap Inc also said that the survey found that 66% of its Malaysian respondents feel stressed about the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by worrying about money (61%), not getting enough sleep (54%) and school or work (49%).

It also said that the "Snapchat Generation" as a community are driving new behaviours and values that are changing the world, adding that it was found that Malaysians are more global in their views and interests in the world around them.

Snap Inc pointed out that 62% of Snapchat users in Malaysia believe that their generation has the power to change the world through digital media.

At the same time, it said that the survey found Malaysians use apps like Snapchat to better connect with friends and family.

"With a variety of digital communication tools at their fingertips, they are not confined to traditional methods of communication.

"While communicating with their friends and family, Malaysian Snapchat users embrace sharing emojis, photos and video calling as their top three ways to communicate without using words," it said.