A teenage boy in Malaysia is currently on trial, accused of the murder of a female schoolmate. The boy, who was 14 at the time, is alleged to have killed 16-year-old Yap Shing Xuen last October.
Ms Yap was found fatally stabbed multiple times in a toilet at their secondary school, located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. The boy has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Under Malaysian law, the boy cannot be publicly identified as he is a minor. If convicted, he could face 30 to 40 years in prison and potentially flogging, though his age means he would not face the death penalty.
Police previously indicated that social media could have influenced the boy, and a note found on him at the time of his arrest has contributed to wider discussions about social media's role. The case has sparked a nationwide conversation in Malaysia regarding the negative effects of social media on children, particularly exposure to content related to the manosphere and incel culture.
Last year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commented on the case and other school violence incidents, stating that "almost all of these issues stem from the use of mobile phones and social media." Authorities have since implemented new rules, including a ban on social media accounts for children under 16 since June, to protect children from harmful online content.