Malaysia: Tun Syed Nasir Polytechnic: The government's Safe Internet Campaign, spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and involving students from higher education institutions, is proving effective in raising awareness about the risks and ethical considerations associated with internet and social media usage.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nur Camerlia Aina Mohamad Azhari, a 22-year-old student from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, expressed that the campaign helps students avoid falling victim to online scams while fostering a culture of advocacy and responsibility among students. The initiative employs a peer-based approach to reinforce the boundaries of internet and social media use, addressing risks such as cyberbullying, scams, gambling, and other negative elements.
Nur Camerlia highlighted that peers, being the closest social circle for youths, serve as vital references and guides, enhancing the campaign's effectiveness. Her insights were shared during the Safe Internet Campaign programme held at Tun Syed Nasir Polytechnic, attended by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. During the event, Minister Fadzil presented laptops to 28 selected university students from the Pagoh Education Hub.
Nor Hidayah Mohd Fadzli, a 20-year-old student from Tun Syed Nasir Polytechnic, participated in the programme and gained a clear understanding of the steps to take if one becomes a victim of online scams. She noted her previous unawareness of the National Scam Response Centre hotline 997, which can be contacted for reporting scams. The programme also appoints students as Online Safety Icons, who assist peers by offering support and raising awareness on online safety and ethical internet and social media usage.
In a statement, MCMC emphasized that the campaign is part of an ongoing effort by the Communications Ministry to empower youths in facing digital threats, focusing on online safety, cyber threats, digital scams, cyberbullying, misinformation, and the risks of excessive personal data sharing. As of March 31, a total of 47 Safe Internet Campaign programmes have been implemented at institutions of higher learning nationwide, involving 23,196 students.