Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian authorities have shown concern over the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), which is increasing both the scale and sophistication of online threats against children, as the Southeast Asian nation faces growing risks.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) recorded more than 11,000 cyberbullying complaints in 2024, an average of 30 cases per day. Around 33% of young Malaysians surveyed had reported being victims of online bullying.
Addressing the 2025 ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warned of AI that now enables predators to clone voices, create deep-fake images, and manipulate children's identities.
He said online harm has no borders, noting that these figures are more than numbers, they are signals that existing safety nets are being stretched thin.
He added the situation is compounded by a lack of awareness across the region. Nearly 70% of parents in ASEAN remain unaware of the full range of digital risks their children face.
According to Hamidi, one in every three Internet users today is a child. Many parents, educators, and policymakers still did not have the full picture of what children face online, while cross-border harms continue to complicate enforcement.
The Malaysian government does not want to disconnect young people from technology but to empower them to use it safely and confidently, he stated, adding that this requires a whole-of-government effort involving ministries, regulators, educators, parents, communities, and technology companies.
He said the updated policy strengthened safeguards against grooming, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and emotional harm, while also empowering children through digital literacy, ethical technology use, and responsible expression./.
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