THE recent plea by the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, for parents to closely monitor their children's online activities underscores the urgency of addressing the growing digital danger regarding the targeting of children.
Safeguarding children from online exploitation should be a national priority. Every parent, educator, policymaker and community member must unite to shield our future generations from harm.
Online predators exploit the innocence and natural curiosity of children. With flattery, gifts and fake friendships, these predators groom their victims, laying a path to irreversible trauma.
In Malaysia, according to the Disrupting Harm in Malaysia report — four per cent of children aged 12 to 17 who use the Internet have faced explicit online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
There are actionable steps every parent can take:
1. Foster Open Communication: Children must feel safe sharing their online experiences. Encourage conversations without judgement or fear of punishment.
2. Educate About Online Risks: Teach children the dangers of sharing personal information or engaging with strangers. Awareness is the first step to prevention.
3. Utilise Parental Controls: Take advantage of built-in tools on devices and platforms to monitor and restrict access to inappropriate content.
4. Set Clear Boundaries: Define rules about screen time, acceptable behaviour and safe platforms. Consistency and clarity are key.
For victims of online exploitation, the consequences are profound and long-lasting. Society's role must be one of empathy and support.
Malaysia has made notable progress in tackling online exploitation. The Online Safety Bill 2024, a landmark piece of legislation, was passed by the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) on Dec 11, 2024, and the Dewan Negara (Senate) on Dec 16, 2024.
The bill is now awaiting royal assent and will become law upon being gazetted. Once operational, it will mandate a "duty of care" for digital service providers to protect children and other users from online harms.
Collaborative initiatives with Unicef and other organisations have already fostered impactful public awareness campaigns. The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has intensified efforts to combat cybercrimes, rescuing victims and bringing perpetrators to justice.
In recent years, PDRM has reported a significant increase in the number of online predator cases being investigated, reflecting the growing threat and the authorities' commitment to addressing it.
These commendable actions must be supported by continuous investment, policy updates and community participation. Protecting children from online predators is a shared mission.
Educational institutions should incorporate digital literacy into their curricula, empowering students to navigate the online world safely. Technology companies must prioritise child safety, enforcing stringent detection and reporting mechanisms for exploitation. Communities must cultivate vigilance, offering children safe spaces and the reassurance that they are protected.
The safety of our children is not negotiable. It is a moral imperative that demands our unwavering commitment.
DR MANIVANNAN RETHINAM
Chairman,
Majlis Gagasan Malaysia