KUALA LUMPUR: The responsibility to foster a digitally safe environment must be shared across communities, especially among parents and children, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman stated that while the internet offers endless opportunities for knowledge and growth, it also exposes users, particularly young ones, to significant risks such as cyberbullying, online scams, grooming, identity theft, misinformation, and exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
"In many cases, children and even adults are unaware of the dangers that lurk online or lack the digital literacy needed to protect themselves," he said when contacted on Sunday (June 8).
He noted that key challenges in achieving digital literacy include lack of awareness and generational gaps.
"Many families, particularly in lower-income or rural areas, lack awareness of online threats and the know-how to respond effectively.
"In terms of generational gaps, parents often find it difficult to keep up with the evolving digital landscape, apps, and platforms their children engage with," he lamented.
Lee highlighted that structured digital safety education is not widely available or embedded in school curricula and community programs.
"Furthermore, the ability to critically evaluate online information remains a challenge, even for adults. Excessive screen time and lack of monitoring can increase children’s exposure to negative online influences," he added.
He called for community-based digital literacy campaigns.
"Government agencies, NGOs, and schools must work together to organize workshops, seminars, and awareness programs tailored for parents, children, and community leaders.
"Schools should integrate digital citizenship, cyber hygiene, and critical thinking into the curriculum from an early age," he said.
Lee emphasized that parents should be provided with tools, apps, and training to monitor and guide their children’s online behavior.
"This includes promoting open communication at home about online experiences. The government should also collaborate with tech companies and digital platforms to promote safer digital habits and tools, such as parental controls and content filters.
"The use of child-friendly digital spaces and educational content should be encouraged while teaching children to report suspicious or harmful activity," he said.
Lee urged all stakeholders — educators, parents, policymakers, and the private sector — to recognize that digital safety education is not optional but a crucial life skill for navigating the modern world.
"Let us empower our communities to be digitally literate, critically aware, and cyber-resilient. Protecting our children and building a safer digital future begins with informed action today," he said.
