KUCHING: The Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) which came into effect in January this year is a crucial safeguard in making the digital space safer for children.
It is aimed at protecting them from threats such as cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and online grooming.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the growing involvement of children in online activities calls for a more comprehensive approach, one that brings together the government, parents, communities, and digital platform providers.
“We strongly support this move, as we can see that more and more children are engaging in online activities every day.
“These steps are essential to protect children from risks such as cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and online grooming,” she said.
She said after officiating at the Rhythm – Ritma Kehidupan Harmoni: Program Sihat Warga Emas at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch here Sunday (May 24).
Nancy also stressed the need to raise greater awareness about the various forms of cyberbullying, noting that many children still do not recognise that certain actions or words directed at them actually constitute bullying.
She added that ongoing exposure through social media and awareness campaigns can help society, particularly parents and children, better understand the risks present in the digital world.
“There are children who come home feeling distressed because they have been bullied, yet they themselves do not realise that what happened to them is bullying.
“That is why it is so important for them to be informed, so they can better understand their situation and know how to seek help,” she said.
She emphasised that the government’s primary goal is to ensure every child can explore the digital world safely, confidently, and with a sense of well-being.
Nancy however noted that protecting children in the digital space cannot rest with the government alone, but requires commitment from all parties, including communities and families.
“It is not just a government approach — it must also involve communities, parents, and digital platform providers to ensure a safer and more conducive online environment,” she said.
Earlier, media reports highlighted two new codes under ONSA — the Child Protection Code (CPC) and the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) — that are set to come into effect on June 1.
These codes aim to strengthen child protection and require digital platforms to take more decisive action against harmful content.
