malaysiang
KUALA LUMPUR: Technological advancements, especially in new media, have made it increasingly challenging to keep children away from social media. This has been particularly evident as the use of devices surged during the online teaching and learning processes introduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, despite the benefits of unlimited access to information and seamless communication, concerns have emerged regarding the potential ‘costs’ associated with the advantages of this borderless world created by social media platforms. These issues include concerns related to cyberbullying among children, sexual exploitation like pedophilia, online fraud, and other challenges that raise worries for parents and society as a whole.
On Oct 26, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had received complaints about the presence of child sexual grooming groups on social media platforms.
The United Nations Convention on t
he Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Children Act 2001 define a child as someone who has not yet reached the age of 18. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to state that children typically lack the maturity to evaluate situations effectively, rendering them easily influenced and vulnerable to exploitation, particularly when using social media without proper guidance or oversight.
Commenting on the issue, President of the Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA), Siraj Jalil, said the challenges children face when using social media are critical. While these platforms offer opportunities for connection and information sharing, they also pose significant risks, exposing children to various negative aspects. He noted that the lack of guidelines and controls could result in children interacting with unknown individuals, experiencing device addiction, being swayed by various trends in digital content, encountering misinformation, and facing safety threats such as cyberbullying and sexual exploitation.
The MC
MC reminded parents on April 21 to ensure that their children under the age of 13 do not have any social media accounts such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media accounts. Fahmi said the MCMC has found that children under the age of 13 are not suitable for using any social media, as most social media platforms’ terms prohibit this age group from having accounts.
Meanwhile, sharing his views, the Dean of the School of Multimedia Technology and Communication at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Khairie Ahmad, said concerns about children due to the effects of online activities are not localised but are challenges faced worldwide. He said an analysis by a group of experts at Yale University found that individuals who use social media for more than three hours a day are at twice the risk of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Efforts must also be made to minimise the experiences of online threats among children, as two out of three children are reported
to encounter such issues. Platform and application providers, particularly social media companies, must enhance their responsibilities to ensure their platforms present low risks for children. Innovative legislation and regulations, along with preventive measures, are essential due to the rapidly evolving nature of technology.
On Oct 31, Fahmi also commented on his meeting with Meta earlier, during which he reprimanded the company for still failing to address paedophilia and child sexual grooming crimes, particularly on Facebook. The government will not compromise on this matter as social media safety issues, especially involving children and families, have become more widespread.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in tabling Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat last month, announced an allocation of RM30 million to bolster efforts to curb scams as well as enhance cyber security in Malaysia.
