Stop the ‘doomscrolling’: Fahmi says parents need to be digital traffic cops for their own kids

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 — Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil has emphasized the importance of parents taking an active role in their children's digital safety, rather than solely depending on platform providers. He stressed the need to monitor children's online activities to prevent risks such as sexual crimes and cyberbullying. Comparing giving a child a mobile phone to providing them with a car, Fahmi highlighted the potential dangers that can arise without proper supervision.

He cited the recent operation, Op Pedo 2, which led to the arrest of 53 individuals, and the seizure of over 54,000 files related to online child predation as evidence of the severity of the issue. Fahmi urged parents to utilize parental control features to regulate device usage and block potentially harmful applications, while also discouraging "doomscrolling" or excessive social media consumption.

In response to recent legislation, the Online Safety Act 2025, platform operators may face fines of up to RM10 million for each violation if they fail to comply. This law aims to compel platforms to assume responsibility for addressing fake accounts, online sexual offenses, and cyberbullying. Fahmi stressed that while the government provided time for platforms to comply, they hoped it would not be necessary to impose fines.

For social media verification, Fahmi suggested using official documents like MyKid, birth certificates, or MyKad to confirm users are at least 16 years old. This step is particularly crucial as the number of fake accounts has been on the rise, posing risks of deception, fraud, and illegal gambling.

To combat online scams targeting vulnerable groups such as retirees and civil servants, Fahmi emphasized the importance of contacting the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 within 15 to 30 minutes of an incident. He likened this action to calling an ambulance, as it is an emergency situation. If the call is made within the recommended timeframe, Bank Negara can prevent further fund withdrawals through mule accounts.