Plan aims to offer children protection when they go online

PUTRAJAYA: A Plan of Action on Child Online Protection ( PTCOP) has been developed to address issues of online activities among children, especially in cyber bully and pornography, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.

She said the PTCOP, which was tabled and approved by the cabinet on Feb 11 this year, would be handed over to the lead ministries and agencies concerned for implementation.

Among the lead ministries and agencies are the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry; Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; the Education Ministry; Home Ministry, the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission ( MCMC) and Malaysian Royal Police.

“It is hoped that this PTCOP, with its four main aspects namely; advocacy, prevention, intervention and support

It is hoped that this PTCOP, with its four main aspects namely; advocacy, prevention, intervention and support service, will be the catalyst in increasing the awareness and commitment of parents, teachers, community members and non-governmental organisations.

Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Women, Family and Community Development Minister

service, will be the catalyst in increasing the awareness and commitment of parents, teachers, community members and nongovernmental organisations,” she said after opening a two- day Regional Conference On Child Online Protection: Towards An Integrated Approach, here yesterday.

She said it would also enable stakeholders to develop a clear continuum of advocacy, prevention and early intervention, as well as protective programmes that comply with international standards.

Acknowledging that access to internet was an indicator to measure a nation’s advancement into the knowledge-based economy, as well as to create a new form of communication and platform for business, Rohani, said there was also the ‘dark side’ of internet. The dark side of the internet is where unscrupulous people use it for cyber pornography and prostitution, she added.

“The dark side also includes those who target children as their victims,” she said.

Therefore, she said, guidance and monitoring from parents, guardians, teachers and community members were of outmost important to avoid the unwanted incidents. — Bernama