‘Lodge complain over misuse of children images’

Parents and guardians are urged to lodge complaints with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) if recordings of their children’s images and videos are used as social media content by any party without permission.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said MCMC also has the power to remove social media content involving children uploaded without the consent of their parents or guardians to ensure that no party is exploited for personal gain.

She said the Education Ministry has specific guidelines for the use of social media involving teachers and students issued since 2017.

“In principle, it is important to obtain parental concent, because they are the guardians of these children.

“Action will be taken if (these contents) are uploaded without permission,” said Teo, who is also the Kulai MP.

“If there are any complaints received, MCMC will contact the respective social media platforms to remove the content, she said at a mosque and surau donation handover programme in conjunction with Ramadan here yesterday.

Teo said the Kulai parliamentary office donated a total of RM87,000 to 29 mosques and 58 surau within the constituency for this year’s Ramadan.

On March 18, it was reported that Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia chairman Rafiq Razali urged teachers not to use their students as content on social media, especially without parental consent.

On March 4, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek was reported as saying that teachers cannot misuse social media platforms at will, and strict action will be taken if they are found to have violated the relevant guidelines. –