PUTRAJAYA: Internet addiction, lack of awareness of digital citizenship and ineffective parental control have led to increased cybersecurity risks facing the younger generation.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said this was based on the Executive Report of the Findings of the Cyber Security Awareness Study Among School Students and Parents 2021/2022 (Laporan Eksekutif Dapatan Kajian Tanda Aras Tahap Kesedaran Keselamatan Siber Dalam Kalangan Murid Sekolah dan Ibu Bapa
He said other key components of the findings include access to inappropriate Internet content, risk of online transactions, lack of digital fluency, weaknesses in password management, threats from unknown individuals, phishing attacks as well as online privacy.
As such, Annuar said all parties need to work together to instill awareness on the dangers posed by cyber threats.
"By doing so, it will help them to become resilient when facing cyber threats and learn from the incidents they have experienced," he said in his speech during the launch of Safer Internet Day 2022: The Malaysian Edition today.
Present was CyberSecurity Malaysia Board of Directors chairman General (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohd Azumi Mohamed.
The study was conducted by academic researchers from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) with cooperation from the Resource and Educational Technology Division and the Education Ministry, involving school students and parents nationwide, covering various aspects of the use of digital technology.
The study was conducted to look into the overall level of cyber security awareness, behaviour patterns and trends in the use of technology, the Internet and social media.
A total of 16,908 respondents, comprising 13,953 school students, special education needs students and 2,955 parents participated in the study, which was conducted from Nov 16 to Dec 3 last year.
Meanwhile, Annuar said the government was committed to ensuring the rollout of the 5G network would reach 36 per cent by year-end.
"The target is achievable provided that we solve things that lead to uncertainty at this time; be it political or 5G polemic relating to Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB).
"Please remember that it took us eight years to achieve 80 per cent of the population coverage when we launched 4G. (And) we cannot roll out 5G with the same speed. We cannot afford to take eight years to cover 80 per cent of the population coverage.
"Many big companies if they wish to come to Malaysia, they will ask if we are equipped with 5G facilities. If we have 5G, they will come and operate here. If not, they will go somewhere else.
"So, we will be losing all the potential investors, which is crucial for the wellbeing of the country and its people," he said at a press conference held later.
Annuar said the 5G network would need to be formed within three years and achieve the 80 per cent population coverage.
"Whatever problem that comes along, I will make sure that it will be resolved immediately."