CYBER-BULLYING is a serious threat to Malaysian children and serious efforts are being made to counter this threat, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He added that children were being exposed to the many forms on negative influences from the Internet.
Such online threats facing children were classified into cyber bullying, cyber grooming, cyber (online) pornography and identity theft, he added.
Najib said the household Internet penetration rate was expected to reach 75% across Malaysia by 2015.
“Among the steps being taken to stop online threats against children are the ChildOnline protection seminars, a book on family-friendly Internet experience.
“Cooperation is also being made with Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) to assist Internet users in detecting, interpreting and responding to cyber security incidents,” he told Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh (BN-Putatan) in a written reply in his capacity as Women, Family and Community Development Minister.
Dr Marcus had asked the Government to state the measures taken to address the problem based on the Global Youth Online Behaviour Survey, which claims that eight out of 10 Malaysian children are victims of cyber-bullying.
Najib said the efforts to protect children from cyber threats also lied with society.
“The Government will continue to work with the private sector, academicians, NGOs and other groups to protect our children from cyber threats,” he added.
