PETALING JAYA: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is working closely with the Communications Ministry on all matters related to improper online usage by minors, especially those involving obscene content, says its minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (pic).
These include ensuring digital payment systems are not misused by minors, she said.
“We are also working to ensure digital platforms take responsibility for monitoring harmful content.
“With law enforcement under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act (SOAC) 2017, we want to ensure that perpetrators who exploit or manipulate children online face strict punishment,” she told The Star.
Nancy said this in response to reports of children as young as 12 being involved in creating obscene content online.
Recently, The Star revealed that children were profiting from their own lewd content on social media by getting paid via e-wallets.
Describing the matter as troubling, Nancy reiterated that the Child Act 2001 empowers them to act in cases where children are neglected, abused, or exposed to harm.
In addition, she said SOAC 2017 provides clear legal provisions against the exploitation of children, including in digital spaces.
“These cases remind us that children are among the most vulnerable in the digital age. As a government, our responsibility is clear: children must be safeguarded in schools, in the community and online,” she said.
However, she pointed out that parents are the first line of defence, so they must take responsibility for guiding and monitoring their children’s online activities.
Under the Child Act 2001, exposing a child to harm or neglect can be considered an offence.
“That said, we must also support parents, many of whom are unprepared to cope with digital challenges.
“This is why the ministry invests in family education, parenting workshops and advocacy programmes like Kasih.
“If there is clear negligence, accountability measures can be taken, but the bigger goal is to equip parents so that prevention starts at home,” she said.
Among the ministry’s efforts, she added, is the Kasih Advocacy Programme, which has been expanded from schools to include 30 Children Activity Centre (PAKK) nationwide to raise awareness on child safety, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
She said the ministry works closely with the Education Ministry, police and local communities on the programme to spread this message in schools and at the grassroots level.
“In 2024, we reached 337 schools nationwide, and for 2025, in addition to the 30 PAKKs, we target at least 300 schools nationwide,” she said.
Through the Kasih Kanak-Kanak programme, they have also been raising awareness on child safety, including online safety for children, Nancy added.
