KUALA LUMPUR – Efforts to safeguard children in the digital realm must extend beyond legislation, with equal focus on digital literacy, parental involvement, and education, according to the chairperson of the Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (Page).
Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim stressed that while Malaysia’s Online Safety Act (ONSA) is a vital step, it cannot function in isolation.
“From a parental and education standpoint, the Online Safety Act is fundamentally about protecting children in an environment that has outpaced safeguards,” she said.
She added that measures such as restricting access to social media platforms for those under 16, though aligned with the Act’s intent, must be complemented by wider initiatives.
“Restricting under-16s from platforms like TikTok and Instagram aligns with that goal, but it cannot stand alone,” Noor Azimah said.
Children are particularly susceptible online due to their developmental stage and emotional needs.
“Children are vulnerable because they seek connection, validation, and often cannot detect manipulation,” she explained.
She warned that online predators are increasingly sophisticated, often using calculated methods to gain trust and isolate young users.
“Predators exploit this through trust-building and secrecy, and many parents still underestimate how sophisticated these tactics are,” she noted.
Noor Azimah emphasised that legal measures must be paired with education and awareness to be truly effective.
“Ultimately, legislation must be paired with digital literacy, parental involvement, and school-based education – because the goal is not just to block access, but to raise digitally resilient children,” she said.
Her remarks echo a growing consensus that protecting children online requires a holistic strategy that equips them with critical thinking skills and knowledge to navigate digital environments safely.
The Online Safety Act 2025 officially came into force on January 1, 2026. Experts have highlighted its importance in addressing online grooming and exploitation, particularly among vulnerable users.
The law has received strong support from the Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM). Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said the Act introduces a legal framework to enhance user safety while increasing accountability for digital platforms to mitigate cyber risks.
In line with the Act, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) launched a public consultation on February 12, 2026, inviting stakeholders and the public to provide input on the proposed regulatory framework, including measures aimed at strengthening online safety. – March 21, 2026