Melaka To Adopt targeted KIS 2.0 To Raise Digital Safety Awareness in Schools

MELAKA, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- The Safe Internet Campaign (KIS 2.0) will be implemented with a renewed, more targeted approach across all schools in Melaka starting next year, announced Datuk Fairul Roslan Nizam, state executive councillor for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Communication.

He explained that this strategy is designed to ensure the comprehensive and effective delivery of digital safety information to all students and teaching staff.

This shift follows preliminary findings from a collaboration with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which identified a pressing need to enhance digital safety awareness among students. 

"We want every teacher to benefit from the input of the KIS campaign. Planning for this more focused approach will be made after reviewing the outcomes of its implementation throughout the year," he told reporters after the southern region Safe Internet Campaign Carnival at Universiti Multimedia's Melaka Campus today.

The event was officiated by Deputy Secretary-General (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran, representing Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He reported that KIS has already reached 313 of the state's 317 schools this year, with the initiative set to achieve full coverage across all institutions by the end of the current term.

Furthermore, he affirmed the state government's commitment to fully leverage the KIS programme as a primary platform for raising public awareness of cyber risks and threats, with a specific focus on combating online grooming targeted at children and students.

He also appealed to parents, educators and the wider community to heighten their vigilance regarding children's internet activity, especially for those under 16, consistent with the government’s policy of prohibiting minors from operating social media accounts.

“We are concerned that harmful activities such as online grooming and exploitation could infiltrate our children's digital spaces without proper monitoring. While no cases have been reported in Melaka, preventative measures must be intensified.

"Close monitoring is also crucial to prevent students from falling prey to online manipulation or scams, which could lead them towards unlawful behaviour or activities," he said.

-- BERNAMA