Kuala Lumpur: Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bidor 2 here has been selected as the first location for the Internet Safety Campaign organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi stated that the campaign targets schoolchildren as they are considered a high-risk group, vulnerable to manipulation by irresponsible individuals. He noted that while previous programmes primarily focused on secondary school students, this initiative would concentrate on children under the age of 13 due to a rising trend of deception and bullying. The campaign aims to educate and raise awareness to protect them from cyber threats.

The launch event, which took place at the school, was attended by Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran, Perak Information Department director Yosri Abu Mahsin, and state MCMC director Mohd Irwan Mohamed. The campaign, coordinated by the Ministry of Communications, plans to expand to all primary and secondary schools across Malaysia by the end of this year.

Modules included in the campaign address age restrictions for social media use, prohibitions against children under 13 having social media accounts, and the risks associated with cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and hate speech. It also emphasizes the role of parents in safeguarding their children.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azlan mentioned that a comprehensive report on internet access issues in several areas, including the Ayer Kuning state constituency, would be presented at the state assembly sitting, scheduled from April 15 to 22. The report compiles findings from surveys and visits conducted by the MCMC in affected locations, with the involved parties preparing the latest updates on the matter.