DIGITAL safety is a major focus of the National Child Policy 2026-2030 as the government steps up efforts to address online risks faced by children, especially sexual exploitation, says Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Lim Hui Ying.
She said the policy, launched on Nov 24 last year, emphasises advocacy, prevention, intervention and support services to strengthen protection for children in digital spaces.
The policy and its accompanying action plan take into account emerging challenges in the digital environment, particularly cyber-related threats, by building on elements from the earlier Child Protection Action Plan in Cyberspace, she said.
“This shows that cyber risks and exploitation, especially online sexual exploitation of children, have been identified as issues that require targeted and focused action,” she said in reply to a supplementary question from Dr Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun) during Question Time.
Dr Abd Ghani had wanted to know how existing policies address issues such as cyberbullying and online sexual exploitation involving children.
Lim said that Malaysia recently presented updates on its commitment to children’s rights during a dialogue with the Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Geneva on Jan 22 and 23.
Among the issues discussed were equitable access to education, stronger child protection mechanisms and the growing risks faced by children in the digital environment.
In response to another question from Abd Ghani on the monitoring of child abuse cases, Lim said the ministry, through the Social Welfare Department, carries out inspections at least twice a year, in addition to checks on unregistered premises.
She added that a Taska Task Force has been set up to coordinate the classification and registration of childcare centres nationwide, with the aim of reducing the risk of abuse and neglect.
