Strong family ties protect kids from internet dangers, says activist

 

Activist James Nayagam says parents should form support groups to educate each other about the current environment for children online. (Freepik pic)

PETALING JAYA: A child activist has urged parents to build good relationships with their children and teach them how to communicate and behave online, to battle the negative effects of social media.

Suriana Welfare Society chairman James Nayagam said parents and children should strike an agreement to avoid certain websites or social media platforms.

James Nayagam.

“If there is any breach of (the agreement), then the parents must withdraw (their internet) privileges,” he said.

Nayagam was commenting after communications minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that his ministry will launch a campaign to address online grooming and prevent children under 13 years old from registering on social media.

Fahmi said while the ministry had no control over regulations for foreign social media platforms, he hopes the campaign would gather all agencies, including the police and personal data protection department, to highlight the steps needed to ensure online safety.

The activist said parents should also form support groups to educate each other about the current environment for children online.

Meanwhile, International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals senior fellow SL Rajesh said while it may not be possible to eliminate the threat of cyber predators, a combination of prevention, education, enforcement and technological solutions can help reduce their impact and protect children from harm in the online world.

However, both Nayagam and Rajesh shot down an academic’s suggestion that users provide proof of their legal age when registering for a social media account by furnishing personal documents such as identity cards.

In March, Siti Nasarah Ismail of UiTM, had proposed the measure as many users were not honest about their age, despite social media platforms setting a minimum age limit of 13 years.

Nayagam said the proposal was impossible to put into practice, as platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok are foreign-based and do not require users to register using their identity cards.

“(Children) can fake their identities by using their parents’ accounts or ICs. We must realise that we are up against a challenge. Setting regulations is outdated.”

Rajesh said while a MyKad verification enhances child safety, provides reassurance for parents or even mitigates predatory behaviour, it could pose numerous risks, including possible identity theft.

He suggested alternative approaches to create a safe environment for young users, such as setting up parental consent mechanisms that do not require a MyKad verification, including secure online forms or video conferencing.

Rajesh suggested the adoption of community reporting systems to flag underage accounts, partnering with reputable third-party verification services and integrating digital identity cards to address privacy concerns.

“By fostering a collaborative approach to online safety and innovation, we aspire to set a benchmark for industry best practices and contribute to the holistic well-being of our youngest users in the digital age.” - FMT