Yet I am deeply concerned about the growing risks associated with this habitual usage – risks that are not theoretical, but ­tragically real. A young life full of potential ended in seconds, leaving a family shattered and a community grieving. When our ears are filled with sound, our brain focuses inward on the music, the conversation or the video, rather than on the ­surrounding environment. While official data is limited, research by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) has documented significant levels of distracted walking involving mobile electronic ­devices, including headphone use. Wearing earbuds while ­walking may seem harmless, but if it reduces your ability to detect danger, it becomes a form of self-endangerment.

Source: The Star February 14, 2026 11:14 UTC