Could uncontrolled internet use expose children to sexting?

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Uncontrolled Internet Use Poses Risks of Sexting for Children

Uncontrolled internet and smartphone usage can expose children to serious social ills such as sexting and cybersex grooming. Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the Deputy Prime Minister, has urged parents to be aware of these dangers, emphasising that while the internet offers benefits, unsupervised access can lead to negative consequences. These risks include exposure to pornography, the dark web, and social media platforms where individuals may exploit children.
Parental Responsibility in Monitoring Digital Access

The responsibility for safeguarding children from online threats lies significantly with parents, who must actively monitor their children's internet and mobile phone usage. This oversight is crucial to mitigating the potential for exposure to harmful content and predatory behaviour. Dr Wan Azizah highlighted that this monitoring is a fundamental parental duty in the digital age.
Government Initiatives for Online Safety Awareness

The government has implemented various programmes to address these concerns and equip parents with the necessary knowledge. The Children and Family Safety Awareness programme, for instance, aims to educate parents on protecting their children from cyberbullying, sexting, and online grooming. This initiative, which has been conducted 335 times since its 2017 launch, had benefited 11,282 participants nationwide as of December 12.
Broader Educational and Preventative Measures

Beyond awareness programmes, the government has also introduced educational materials and campaigns to promote a safer online environment for children. These include the 'Safe Touch and Bad Touch' sex education video and the Family Reject Pornography (STOP) campaign. Furthermore, the Reproductive and Social Health Education (PEKERTI) module serves as a key component of the broader Sexual and Health Reproductive Education programme, aiming to build resilience against online exploitation.

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Could uncontrolled internet use expose children to sexting?

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