KUALA LUMPUR: Starting next year, standard four pupils will learn about the ‘dangers’ that lurk in the internet to avoid them from becoming victim of online grooming by paedophiles.
Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching said the new topic will be included in the Pendidikan Jasmani dan Kesihatan subject’s textbook which will be distributed among Year Four pupils starting next year.
Teo said the ministry is aware that there are irresponsible people with ill intentions, whose ‘mission’ is to lure children using social media platforms.
“The ministry realise that there are people taking advantage of the advancement of communication devices and growth of social media platforms who will try to groom innocent young children into getting involved with bad things.
“This is a serious issue that we need to address. Making ‘child grooming’ as a topic to discuss in classrooms will enable teachers to create awareness, remind and educate children, in order to protect our younger generation.
“It will also equipped knowledge among children on the action available if they fall prey (to child grooming predators),” Teo told reporters after launching the new safety video by the ministry titled My Body is Mine here today.
The one-and-a-half-minute video is aimed at educating young children on “safe touches” and “unsafe touches” through simple lyrics and dance moves.
Other topics to be included as new syllabus for Year Four pupils, she said, included physical changes, coming-of-age issues, conflict and stress.
When asked to comment on the video, Teo said children, through song plus dance moves, will easily remember the important message about protecting themselves.
“The video is in line with the introduction of reproductive and social health studies, an initiative of the education ministry through health education.
“I hope that this short video will be played in preschools as well as cinemas nationwide, especially before movies that resonate well among children, such as Ejen Ali and Frozen 2.”
The video can be downloaded at www.moe.gov.my and TV Pendidikan Malaysia eduwebtv.moe.edu.my.