[EXPLAINER] Why Did This Kuching Influencer-Teacher Receive Flak for Going Through Her Students’ Bags?

Arguably one of Malaysia’s most famous teacher-influencer is 26-year-old Ting Shi Qi, better known to her followers as ‘qiwiie’. The ‘edu-famous teacher’ found herself in hot water when her video where she filmed herself ‘spot-checking’ her students' bags received widespread criticism from online users.

Who Is She?

She boasts 677k followers on Instagram, as well as 1.5M followers and 31M, likes on TikTok. She is currently a part-time teacher and also manages her time being the co-founder of the conversational card game But Honestly and a social media influencer.

She went viral in March for her ‘emotional damage’ video, when she tried to teach her primary school students about emotions but they started mimicking YouTuber Steven He and it became a meme. It racked up tens of millions of views on TikTok and Instagram. The video even caught the attention of Malaysian stand-up comedian Nigel Ng, better known as Uncle Roger.

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A post shared by Shi Qi (@qiwiie)

What’s The Controversy?

During the controversial video, Shi Qi was seen taking out a pack of gummies from one of her student’s bags and eating two of the candies. She was criticised for opening the bags without their permission and for violating the privacy of her students by using them as content subjects. Twitter user @amuse_gueule, self-styled as “Mom of KL” first highlighted the issue by tagging Fadhlina Sidek, the Minister of Education, urging her to look into the situation. In the, she said, “YBM, I received this video via WhatsApp. The teacher is going through her pupils’ things and posted a video on this. I don’t know what her profile name is on TikTok but the teacher is wearing a REAL school lanyard.”

However, another parent later asked the Twitter user to take down the Tweet as she said she gave consent to Shi Qi to make the video but not for @amuse_gueule to spread her child’s photo through the screenshot of the video.

I am the mother of the girl in your screenshot. I do not consent to you spreading her photo on your twitter. I gave consent to Ms Shi Qi to make a video with her but not for you to spread this picture. I will give you 12 hours to take it down before I take it to court.

— nurhidayahhm (@nurhidayah65446) June 20, 2023

The tweet has since been deleted. Speaking about her videos several months ago, Shi Qi previously told the New Sarawak Tribune, “I’m very grateful; it’s been very positive. The parents see me online, and they get very happy if they see their children on social media.”

The Apology

After the video became an issue, Shi Qi posted an apology to her social media pages. “I would like to apologise to the parents and individuals who were offended by a recent video I posted. I am really sorry. The video was sponsored content. It was filmed during break time and I placed the gummies into the bags before the shoot. I looked through students’ bags, took out a gummy, and ate it. There were no students in this video. Unlike the rest of my recent videos where parental consent was asked and granted, I did not seek consent before opening the bags as they were being used as props.”

“This was an oversight and my fault, which I deeply regret. A few concerned individuals saw the video when it was first posted and pointed out that it was not the right thing to do. I realised my mistake and took down the video after 20 minutes.”

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A post shared by Shi Qi (@qiwiie)

Shi Qi has since deleted all her videos on TikTok except her apology note. Ministry of Education’s Comments Astro Awani reported that the video had come to the attention of Fadhlina Sidek, who said that the Ministry was looking into the matter. She stressed that they would consider the necessary action to be taken if they received an official report. “I am monitoring this issue closely and I will update from time-to-time what actions have been taken if any, or the interventions that the Ministry will be carried out if an official report has been received.”

Weighing In Speaking out about Twitter user “Mom of KL”, another user @Annie_Pearl46 posted a lengthy commentary on the matter. She described herself as a retired high school teacher and that the rights of both children and teachers were close to her heart. She said, “The case of "Mom of KL" @amuse_gueule offers a penetrating glance into the paradoxical intricacies of the modern digital era. Her role in circulating a controversial video involving Shi Qi, an influencer and teacher, instigated critical debates on privacy and accountability in the digital realm. However, her actions also inadvertently triggered a wave of doxing and the emergence of the harsh 'cancel culture' - a phenomenon synonymous with online public shaming.”