Safe Internet Campaign Empowers Tertiary Students To Face Cyber Threats, Digital Scams

MUAR, April 20 (Bernama) -- The government’s Safe Internet Campaign by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), with the involvement of students from higher education institutions (IPTs), is effective in creating awareness among youths about the risks and ethics of using the internet and social media.

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) student Nur Camerlia Aina Mohamad Azhari, 22, said the campaign helps students to avoid becoming victims of online scams as well as fosters a culture of advocacy among students, encouraging them to be more responsible and remind each other about appropriate internet usage.

“The campaign uses a peer-based approach, which helps reinforce the boundaries of internet and social media use, as well as risks such as cyberbullying, scams, gambling and other negative elements.

“Peers are the closest social circle for youths and serve as references and guides,” she told Bernama when met at the Safe Internet Campaign programme at Tun Syed Nasir Polytechnic here today.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil attended the event, where he presented laptops to 28 selected university students around the Pagoh Education Hub.

Tun Syed Nasir Polytechnic student Nor Hidayah Mohd Fadzli, 20, who participated in the programme said it gave her a clear understanding on the steps to take if one becomes a victim of online scams.

She said she was previously unaware of the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) hotline 997, which can be contacted to help report scams.

“Additionally, the programme appoints students as Online Safety Icons, who play a role in assisting peers, offering support, and raising awareness on online safety and ethical internet and social media usage,” she said.

Meanwhile, MCMC said in a statement that the campaign is an ongoing effort by the Communications Ministry to empower youths in facing digital threats, with a focus on online safety, cyber threats, digital scams, cyberbullying, the spread of misinformation, and 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.

-- BERNAMA