Deputy minister says one-third of youths face cyberbullying; MCMC steps up online child protection

PETALING JAYA: More than one-third of children and teenagers in Malaysia have experienced cyberbullying, as authorities warn of mounting online risks facing minors.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching told the Dewan Negara that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has stepped up enforcement against harmful digital content involving children.

Responding to a follow-up question from Senator Tiew Way Keng on high-risk online threats, including grooming, Teo revealed that between Jan 1, 2022 and Feb 15 this year, MCMC submitted 1,578 requests to platform providers to remove extremely harmful content involving children.

She said 96% (1,515 items) were successfully taken down.

Teo identified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as among the most worrying categories detected online.

The deputy minister also highlighted growing mental health concerns linked to excessive device use among minors.

“Many reports have shown that if a child uses a handphone for more than three hours a day, the risk of facing anxiety, depression and fear of missing out is twice as high.

“We are seeing that 34% of teenagers and children experience cyberbullying in the digital environment.”

Teo stressed that protecting children online requires a coordinated national response.

“It is very important for parents, for adults, for society and for the government to take a whole-of-society, whole-of-nation approach to ensure we educate our community to become more digitally literate users.”

She urged stronger parental supervision of children’s internet and smartphone use to reduce exposure to harmful online environments.

 The Sun Malaysia