Don’t use students for social media content, Fahmi warns teachers

 

Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said his ministry continuously collaborates with the education ministry to ensure the internet is used safely. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Educators should not use students, especially those in primary schools, for social media content, says communications minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said such content could be misused by irresponsible individuals, including for child sexual crimes.

“Issues related to safety, personal data and so on may arise if teachers expose their students’ faces or names on their social media.

“This could make children victims of sexual crimes, child grooming or sexual grooming,” Bernama quoted him as saying after a talk with teachers in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, today.

He said his ministry continuously collaborates with the education ministry on this matter to ensure the internet is used safely.

“The ministry provides internet access to all schools, with about 4,000 schools targeted under its point of presence project.

“What is the point of affordable, fast and widespread internet if it is not used safely? We want it to be safe, especially for children and families,” he said.

Earlier, Fahmi said teachers should understand current trends related to children-related social media content so children can be guided and given proper explanations, preventing them from becoming addicted to negative online content.

“Social media is not suitable for children. One of the messages I want to convey, especially to primary school teachers, is to stop using TikTok to create content involving students.

“Social media platforms record and store data. When we upload content, we are essentially handing over our personal information and surroundings to servers and platforms, most of which are owned by foreign countries.

“That is why we need to be cautious and aware of what content is appropriate to share on social media,” he said. - FMT