SHAH ALAM, June 2 — Parents are urged to set gadget and application usage limits among children to prevent addiction to digital content, which can negatively impact their development.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said consistent control of digital device usage is important to ensure that children do not spend too much time in the virtual world, to the point of disrupting their daily routines.
“The role that must be played jointly by families is to implement disciplinary restrictions at certain times. This is crucial in establishing routines and shaping the development of children as they grow up,” she told Media Selangor.
She said digital technology can also be beneficial as a learning medium and access to information if it is used responsibly.
“To me, it can be a double-edged sword because it can become something very positive for education as well as for access to those in rural areas.”
However, Anfaal reminded that uncontrolled usage could lead to addiction to online content, impacting children’ s well-being.
“If such content is distracting and, worse, leads to a doom-scrolling environment, they may become addicted to scrolling through content for hours on end.”
“I consider this to be very dangerous as it will disrupt their health as well as rest, study and meal times, among others.”
Anfaal said child protection in the digital world requires a comprehensive approach involving law enforcement, educational institutions and the community.
“The most important aspect is law enforcement and restrictions, so that applications entering our country with various types of content must be regulated by the MCMC, along with strict legal action against cyberbullying and the exploitation of children’s images and videos.
“In schools, continuous advocacy should be carried out by teachers and counsellors. In my view, the community can help create a positive digital environment through the production of moral content, as well as by providing good advice and guidance.”
Anfaal said the state government takes the issue of child safety in cyberspace seriously and forms part of Selangor’s child protection agenda.
She noted that since 2023, Selangor has intensified efforts to increase digital safety awareness through partnership with the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).
“Continuous advocacy will be carried out through the Selangor Women’s Tour Series. One of the initiatives is a 1,000-day early childhood advocacy forum, which will be delivered by experts to parents and attendees,” she said.
She added that the first series of the tour will begin in the Petaling district on June 6, with the MBSJ SS15 Multipurpose Hall in Subang Jaya selected as the venue. – Media Selangor
