Kuala lumpur: Digital literacy must be treated as a fundamental right and priority in addressing online harm, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He emphasized that while laws and regulations are important, a lack of digital literacy remains a critical gap, particularly in educating users on their rights in the online space.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi underscored the importance of digital literacy during a special session of the Women's Rights Conference 2026: 'Together We Create PowHER', themed 'Online Safety and Harassment - Combating Online Violence and Promoting Digital Safety for Women in ASEAN'. He stated that many people demand fast and cheap internet but often overlook the importance of knowing their rights for safer internet usage.

Fahmi, who was among the speakers at the conference alongside regional representatives from ASEAN member states such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, also stressed the need to protect children from online risks and misuse of personal data. He highlighted the vulnerability of children under 16 to online harms, including exposure to sexual predators and the unintentional surrender of their digital rights and personal data due to inadequate digital literacy.

Furthermore, Fahmi revealed that Malaysia is exploring measures to restrict social media use among those under 16, similar to initiatives in Indonesia, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Spain. He noted that ASEAN member countries have adopted a collective approach to combat online harms, including cyberbullying and gender-based online violence, through the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN, signed on October 26 last year.

The one-day conference convened policymakers, legal practitioners, and regional experts to discuss issues related to women's rights, leadership, and digital safety, as well as challenges posed by online harassment.