KUCHING: The growth of the digital and gaming industries must strike a balance with child safety to ensure technology not only provides benefits but also creates a responsible online environment.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) representative in Malaysia, Robert Gass, said this approach was important to enable children to enjoy opportunities for learning, connection and entertainment through digital technology without overlooking risks that could affect their safety and well-being.
He said efforts to create a safe digital environment is a shared responsibility involving parents, children, technology developers, the gaming industry and the media.
“However, this does not mean that we do not want technology. On the contrary, we very much welcome it, but at the same time, we want to ensure that technology is developed and used more responsibly,” he said during a media roundtable with UNICEF held here Wednesday.
Gass said digital technology offered various benefits to children, particularly in terms of learning and social connections, but its use must be accompanied by protective measures to safeguard their safety and well-being.
“I think this is one of the fastest-changing areas at the moment. What we see is that technology is not something that is simply good or bad because there are many opportunities that can be harnessed, including for connecting, learning and improving overall well-being.
“When we are online, we can also gain many positive experiences. Sometimes, we can find out what our friends are doing, while at other times, we can learn or obtain information about interesting places that we may want to visit when travelling,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said UNICEF fully supported Malaysia’s and Sarawak’s aspirations to develop the digital industry and strengthen its role as a component of the wider economy.
“However, we want to ensure that it is carried out responsibly. This means protection must be built into the system, not only to reduce risks but also to enrich the user experience,” he stressed.
