Nation

Children's safety at risk from oversharing, warns Content Forum

KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (Content Forum) has expressed support for Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil's call to raise parental awareness about "sharenting" – the practice of sharing personal information and content about children, which can expose them to online threats.

In a statement today, the Content Forum said that children whose private moments were shared online could face bullying, embarrassment, and emotional distress as they grew older.

"Their digital footprint, created without their consent, may also affect their future education and employment opportunities," it said.

While sharing milestones is a common practice, the forum stressed that parents needed to be aware of the unintended consequences, including online exploitation and long-term reputational damage.

"These risks are not hypothetical. Online crimes involving children, such as identity theft and grooming, continue to rise," it said.

The Content Forum also pointed out that "sharenting" raises concerns under the Child Act 2001, which protects children's privacy, safety, and overall well-being.

"Parents and guardians have a fundamental responsibility to ensure their children's security and rights are not compromised through online activities," it said.

Content Forum chairman Rafiq Razali said, "We often teach children to be cautious online, yet parents can unknowingly undermine those very lessons. Oversharing, even with good intentions, may unintentionally compromise our children's safety, privacy, and emotional well-being. It is essential to pause and reflect before hitting 'post' because the internet never forgets."

Content Forum CEO Mediha Mahmood said, "The growing trend of monetising online content increases the risks of exploitation, overexposure, and misuse of children's personal information."

Several countries have started addressing these issues through legal reforms.

In France, children can take legal action against their parents for sharing personal content without their consent.

Australia and the United States are also working to strengthen digital protections for minors.

While Malaysia currently lacks specific laws addressing "sharenting," the Communications and Multimedia Code emphasises the need to safeguard children's dignity, privacy, and emotional well-being.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories