Staying informed: Noraini mingling with students during the programme at SK Seri Kelebang in Ipoh, Perak. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: Cyberbullying cases involving youths have increased drastically in the last few years, says Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said as of July this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) received a total of 6,598 reports on cyberbullying compared with 326 cases in 2021.
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“Even though cyberbullying does not seem to leave a physical impact, it is more dangerous and can threaten the victim’s mental health.
“It can be done repeatedly and en masse. Usage of recorded material or photographs can also cause stress to the victim because the content will continue to spread and be shared online,” she said in her speech when opening a child protection advocacy programme at SK Seri Kelebang here yesterday.
As such, Noraini called on parents to teach their children about how to deal with cyberbullying and to prevent it.
“Parents need to do their part by educating their children about social media etiquette.
“This can be done with explanations on preventing one from bullying or being bullied on social media.
“We as a society can definitely play a huge role by being an adviser, a guide and a role model for children,” she added.
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Meanwhile, Noraini said the ministry would investigate any complaints about the exploitation of children, adding that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the laws.
She said the ministry would collaborate with the Rural and Regional Development Ministry to include the chairpersons of the Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) and the Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) as members of the Child Protection Team.
“We are still in discussions, but we have a community-based organisation programme where we work directly with all village heads and penghulu.
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“However, the programme related to child protection is still in the final stages of discussion regarding the involvement of JPKK and JPKKP,” she said.
According to Noraini, as of May this year, the Perak Social Welfare Department had recorded 288 cases involving children in need of protection.
She added that this year, 383 permanent protection officers and moral officers, along with an additional 280 contract-based officers, had been appointed to Welfare Department offices nationwide.
This includes 43 protection officers and moral officers in Perak alone.
