Digital ministry to roll out online ethics programme in every school
PETALING JAYA: The National Cyber Ethics Module (ESN), designed to nurture ethical and safe online behaviour among students, will be implemented in all schools nationwide starting January 2026.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said the initiative was introduced in response to the growing popularity of digital games and online programmes among youths, underscoring the importance of cultivating cyber ethics.
“While we encourage children to embrace the digital sphere, it is crucial that we inculcate ethical and safe digital practices when they are online,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Developed by the Digital Ministry in collaboration with the Education Ministry, the ESN aligns with the Madani government’s whole-of-government approach.
It aims to raise students’ awareness and understanding of online safety and ethics through comprehensive guidance on using the Internet and social media prudently, responsibly and securely.
The module covers six key areas – Digital Fluency, Digital Ethics, Digital Health and Well-being, Digital Commerce, Digital Privacy and Security, and Digital Rights and Responsibilities.
It forms part of the CyberSAFE in Schools programme and was officially handed over to the Education Ministry on July 22 this year.
Following the handover, the ministry will lead its implementation across primary and secondary schools.
CyberSecurity Malaysia, an agency under the Digital Ministry, serves as the technical partner for the initiative. Its role includes providing the latest cybersecurity inputs – including emerging threats linked to generative artificial intelligence, chatbot applications and online gaming – as well as offering technical training and digital curriculum support for ministry representatives and master trainers.
The agency will also collaborate with both ministries to monitor and evaluate the module’s effectiveness. A pilot phase is currently underway in selected schools to assess the ESN’s impact.
A reinforcement phase, scheduled for late 2025, will incorporate improvements based on feedback from the pilot.
Online training for Education Ministry officers involved in managing the programme nationally will begin next month, ahead of the full rollout in 2026.
Gobind said the Digital Ministry remains committed to supporting the Education Ministry in creating a generation of ethical, respectful and alert digital citizens.
“By learning and adopting safe digital practices, our young ones will be better equipped to contribute to the nation’s digital ecosystem,” he said.
