PETALING JAYA: The Child Protection Code (CPC) is a vital step towards forcing online platforms to proactively shield minors from exploitative interactions and harmful content, say parent and education groups.
Children’s rights group Be My Protector vice-chairman Dr Isdawati Ismail said many parents feel online platforms have not done enough to safeguard children, as existing safety measures are often reactive instead of preventive.
“The CPC is important because it moves responsibility more firmly onto service providers through a ‘safety by design’ approach. This means platforms are expected to build protections into their systems from the start, rather than relying solely on parents or children to manage risks themselves,” she said when contacted yesterday.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced that the CPC along with the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) will take effect on June 1, requiring online service providers to introduce stronger safeguards for children
Isdawati said parents remain worried about algorithm-driven content recommendations, exposure to sexual or violent material, online grooming, cyberbullying and addictive platform designs that prioritise engagement over children’s well-being.
SKJ(C) Ting Hwa, Melaka School Governing Board chairman Datuk Shaun Lee, said schools are increasingly dependent on the Internet for learning, exposing children to harmful information online.
“Children may not be able to judge whether this is good or bad information and can be easily influenced,” he said.
Lee added that violent and dangerous online trends could encourage copycat behaviour among children.
“We see children influenced by videos and social media trends. Some may imitate dangerous acts,” he said.
He described the move to limit account registration for children under 16 as positive but acknowledged enforcement challenges.
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin described the codes as a positive step but said effectiveness depends on consistent enforcement, cooperation and public awareness.
“Harmful content, cyberbullying, scams, sexual grooming and algorithm-driven exposure to inappropriate materials remain accessible to children despite existing controls,” he said.
“Parents must continue to actively supervise, maintain open communication and educate children on responsible online behaviour.”
