LAWS and regulations can set the rules for the digital world, but it is people who must navigate it responsibly every day.
That is the thinking behind Kempen Internet Selamat (KIS), or the Safe Internet Campaign.
This nationwide grassroots effort, running from 2025 to 2027, was initiated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to cultivate digital literacy from the classroom to the community.
As Malaysians spend most of their time online, from schooling to shopping to socialising, the risks of navigating the digital world have grown with them.
Cyberbullying, scams and the misuse of personal data do not wait for the law to catch up, which is why KIS was launched to ensure users are ready when they encounter issues like these.
The campaign also complements the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA), which took effect on Jan 1 this year, and places greater accountability on digital platforms to ensure a user’s digital safety, particularly for children and youth.
While legislative measures hold digital platforms accountable, KIS focuses on the human element, ensuring users, parents and children are equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves every day.
Reach that runs deep
Safer online spaces also depend on informed users, engaged parents and communities that look out for one another.
And the numbers show how far the campaign has travelled, as KIS has reached over 2.19 million
participants across the country.
This includes touching ground at 10,303 educational institutions and 2,143 community programmes nationwide since its inception.
Implemented in schools nationwide, the campaign educates students and teachers alike, putting the message in front of young people in their formative years.
Meanwhile, community programmes reach those who may not be in a classroom, such as parents, working adults and senior citizens.
To further build public awareness of the initiative, the campaign even has its own theme song, Teknologia, performed by renowned singer Faizal Tahir to carry the message to wider audiences.
Learning by doing
KIS is designed to be more than an ordinary lecture.
Its activities include talks, simulations, training sessions and discussions on topics such as online safety guides, improving digital literacy and responsible media consumption.
Events typically feature forums, a presentation of modules for students aged 10 to 12, an interactive zone and exhibition booths, allowing participants to observe and apply what they are learning.
The campaign’s focus revolves around key areas of cyber safety, including:
> Scams: At the community level, the emphasis is on helping participants spot the warning signs of fraudulent messages, calls and online offers, and knowing what to do if they have been targeted;
> Cyberbullying: Participants learn to recognise online bullying, understand its impact and are encouraged to speak up and report, whether they are a target or a bystander;
> Data misuse: Participants learn to protect their personal information and to think carefully about what they share online and with whom; and
> Internet ethics: Promoting respectful and responsible online behaviour, including thinking critically about what users read and share.
Guidance for the home
For many families at home, the hardest part of building digital literacy and fostering responsible usage is knowing where to start.
KIS encourages parents and educators to see themselves as partners in a child’s digital life rather than gatekeepers.
Some of the practical steps highlighted by experts include:
> Talking early and often: Keep conversations about online experiences open and judgement-free, so children feel safe telling an adult when something goes wrong;
> Knowing platforms: Learn how the apps that children use work, including their privacy and safety settings;
> Setting clear boundaries: Agree on screen time and appropriate boundaries together, and apply the rules consistently; and
> Leading by example: Children copy what they see, so model the habits you expect from them.
Father of two, Justin Tan from Kajang said raising awareness about internet safety and responsible online behaviour in a child’s formative years is vital to protecting them from digital threats, which is exactly what KIS was established to address.
“The digital world is full of threats and risks nowadays, especially for young people. Imagine if an adult can get tricked or manipulated – what more of a child?” said the 30-year-old.
“That’s why I think raising awareness about the risks and safe use of the internet from a young age is very important.
“At least now, they are exposed to the right behaviours and know what to do if they encounter these issues when they are older and more mature.
“This way, they are not only more educated and ethical in their online conduct, but also well-equipped to navigate the complexities and nuances of the digital world.”
For more information, visit mcmc.gov.my.
