GEORGE TOWN: Young people are becoming increasingly fixated on the TikTok trend known as "Player Knockout Battle" or "PK Battle", to the point that some are missing school and using their money to buy digital gifts.

According to Kosmo!, PK Battle is a live competition between two social media users who compete to earn digital gifts from viewers.

Losers are often subjected to various punishments, such as having flour thrown on their faces, being drenched with water, or being made to run outside late at night.

Marketing officer Aina Azli, 45, said her 16-year-old daughter's behaviour had changed drastically after getting hooked on the trend, which is commonly livestreamed at all hours of the day.

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"She no longer focuses on her studies. She spends her time glued to her phone, laughing out loud and pointing at the screen, sometimes staying up until early morning and even skipping school just to watch it," she said.

Another parent, known only as Rohaida, 46, said her 13-year-old son had been using his daily RM10 pocket money to buy digital gifts for PK Battle participants.

"These gifts can cost as little as 35 sen or up to RM4. He has spent as much as RM50 a week on them," she said.

Father of four Hakim Ismail, 42, urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block the trend, warning of its potential impact on children's mental health.

"We also urge the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to investigate platforms that can negatively influence users' emotions and behaviour," he said.

Previously, Pertubuhan Damai Revolusi Masyarakat president L. Francis said the MCMC and PDRM should take action, describing PK Battle as a harmful form of online gambling that wastes time and could trigger social issues, including extortion, bullying, and sexual exploitation.