TikTok, the leading platform for mobile video, continues to drive digital literacy among youth with the latest edition of its Surf’s Up: Deputies of Digital Literacy Summit. Held at Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the event saw nearly 150 students pledging their support to TikTok’s #ThinkTwice online safety initiative.
This third instalment of Surf’s Up focused on strengthening digital responsibility, featuring a dynamic debate on online safety and a panel discussion highlighting personal accountability in the digital space. The event was a collaboration between TikTok, the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF), and IIUM’s World Debate and Oratory Centre (IWON).
Empowering Students to Lead Online Responsibility
“Today’s youth have a critical role in shaping a safer digital future,” said Waskito Jati, Outreach and Partnerships Manager at TikTok. “Through Surf’s Up, we want to equip young people to be conscious creators and sharers of content, fostering a community built on positivity, inclusivity, and safety. It’s inspiring to witness the level of engagement and thoughtful conversation from IIUM students.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mediha Mahmood, CEO of CMCF, said, “Online safety goes beyond rules—it’s about dialogue, critical thinking, and collective action. Surf’s Up creates spaces for young minds to question, engage, and embrace digital responsibility. Seeing students debate different perspectives is powerful—it builds sharper thinking and a more conscious digital community.”
Interactive Debates and Inspiring Panel Discussions
Moderated by Sheahnee Iman Lee, the event featured an engaging debate led by IWON students, guided by Nisrina Nabihah. Two teams presented compelling arguments on the responsibilities of maintaining online safety, with audience members voting for the winning side.
Following the debate, a panel featuring Waskito Jati, Mediha Mahmood, TikTok Creator and former lawyer Reina Lum, and moderator Sheahnee Iman Lee discussed the broader implications of content creation and consumption. The conversation centered on how individual choices shape the digital ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of self-regulation, empathy, and conscious sharing.
Surf’s Up: A Growing Movement
TikTok’s Surf’s Up initiative first launched at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and the University of Nottingham Malaysia in 2024, and the IIUM edition marks its third successful engagement. The movement continues to inspire students to take an active role as ‘deputies of digital literacy’, making positive impacts within their online communities.