By Wan Nor Faiqah Wan Mohd Fadzlullah
Every day I woke up at dawn and the first thing I reach out for would be my phone. Unfortunately, that is the reality for most people, isn’t it? Too afraid of being left out that no matter what day or date it is, when something is trending, we must jump on the wagon. Issues arise – a scandal, a protest – and suddenly everyone’s a commentator, a journalist, an activist. Stories shared, opinions posted, hashtags flying.
And in the middle of this, I wonder. There are millions of people online. Tons of us speak up. But what about the people who were silent? Like me. I can say that it is not because I don’t care but I don’t know what to say or how to say it. But again, do people believe that?
These days, being online is equivalent to being present. When you’re silent, you’re invisible, you’re ignorant.
However, I think in a world where everyone is expected to speak up, there’s value in pausing, listening and just choosing to be silent.
Being “offline” often feels like a crime. It doesn’t matter if you are just deactivating your account for some peace of mind. Just being off the internet means that you are going through some bad things. And why is that?
Because there is always this unspoken rule that we must always be online and I meant not just online – but visible, active, loud. You didn’t open your TikTok for one day and lost all your streaks, and suddenly people are questioning you: “What have you been doing that you didn’t have time to nudge me?”
This is what I mean. In social media, it’s not enough for you to feel privately, you must show it publicly.
So, this time, I would like to throw this out there. Maybe silence isn’t nothing. Maybe it’s just choosing to understand before reacting. Maybe it’s about making space – for yourself and for others. Trust me being loud isn’t always the right move.
I’ve seen plenty of instances where news and posts go viral with thousands of likes only to be revealed later the facts weren’t even right. I’ve watched people rush to comment something and not because they have the best interest at heart but just because they didn’t want to be the only one who didn’t say something. The odd one out.
Why am I saying this? Because I’ve done it too. I’ve shared something just because it felt like I was supposed to. Because if I don’t, people might see me differently as if I’m unaware of the current news. And I felt it after, the discomfort when posting, wondering if I did something meaningful or did I became one with the noise.
This was when I realize that not every silence is empty. Some silences are thoughtful. Some are necessary.
Although it’s not always the right response. I acknowledge there are moments where silence becomes a shield for the privileged, a cover for injustice. There are also times when silence hurts people who desperately needs support. But I think people need to learn to tell the difference between silence that avoids and silence that listens.
Because sometimes, I’m silent not because I don’t care but because I care too much to speak too soon.
We live in a world that demands instant opinions. That celebrates being loud. That equates visibility with value. But I think that is not the only way to exist. Not everything we feel must be shared. Not every thought needs to be broadcasted. And not every cause is helped by a rushed post.
I’ve learned that pausing is not a weakness. Waiting to understand is not ignorance. Caring can be quiet.
So maybe I won’t always be posting, sharing or “hashtagging”. Maybe I won’t always be seen or heard online. But I’m here. I’m thinking. I’m listening.
And maybe in this viral world, my silence is the most honest thing I have to offer.
The author is an undergraduate student of Universiti Malaya, taking an elective university course entitled “Introduction to Journalism and Storytelling in Digital Age”, and may be contacted via nahrizuladib@um.edu.my