KUALA LUMPUR: Parents must be more wary of their young children’s online activities to ensure their safety from negative internet elements.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said although the internet has many benefits and offered convenience, it was also a source of negative influence on children, if left unchecked.
"Children are a valuable asset in determining the direction of the future development of a society and nation.
"It is crucial as children without supervision can be easily convinced, brainwashed with sites like the 'Dark Web' and become victims of internet and social media exploiters targeting young children.
"It is our responsibility as parents to monitor our children's Internet and mobile phone usage so that they are not exposed to unhealthy matters that could negatively impact their future, " she said in her speech at the Pandan Parliament Constituency’s Back to School 2020 programme here this afternoon.
Dr Wan Azizah who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister said parents played a pivotal role in a child's upbringing and well-being, Thus they must supervise their child's internet activities to ensure that they were not harmed by cyber bullies, had access to pornography video sites, or were involved in sexting and online grooming.
She said the government had initiated the Family and Child Safety Program (PEKA) where 335 programmes had so far been carried out since 2017 involving 11,282 participants (parents and children).
"These programmes provide tips on cyberspace safety for children and help educate parents on the safety aspects that they should apply when allowing their child to use the Internet, " she said.
Dr Wan Azizah also said she hoped to instill awareness on the existence of “Cyber Sex Grooming” through various social media platforms and therefore children should be equipped with information and guidance to avoid being victimised by highly irresponsible parties.
"The government also launched the Safe Touch and Bad Touch Sexual Education Video campaign and the Family Pornography (STOP) programme, in addition to implementing the Reproductive and Social Health Education (PEKERTI) module which was a key component of the Reproductive Health Education and Health Education Program.
"Parents should also set a good example for their children by not practicing bad habits," she said, sharing a recent statistics from Health Ministry regarding 300,000 students including 50,000 female students smoking the e-cigarette or vape.
At the event, some 300 primary school students from B40 families received school bags, shoes, socks and stationery ahead of the 2020 school session next month.
Each student will also receive RM20 if they open the National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN-i) account and an additional RM100 donation from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).