In April, a 17-year-old student took to social media to post about her teacher, which led to the #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement online. Ain Husniza has since dealt with many parties, from netizens and the authorities to her schoolmates and teachers.
The accused teacher attempted to slap her with a RM1 million lawsuit, the headmistress allegedly called out her action online, and thousands of netizens sent hateful messages, accusing her of seeking attention and even degrading and objectifying Ain, who is a minor.
While Ain’s uphill battle demanding a safe space for all students in schools was met with widespread support from politicians, civil rights groups and fellow Malaysians, many cyberbullying stories are sadly unreported, many of them involving minors like Ain.
Despite efforts and drives to raise awareness on cyberbullying, Malaysian netizens are still in their infancy when it comes to understanding the cause and effect of this toxic activity.
The Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) Internet Users Survey 2020 found that 47% of children between the ages of five and 17 use the internet daily, but only 53.3% of parents are aware of online parental control.
In 2018, consumer website Comparitech said 23% of Malaysian parents reported that their children were victims of cyberbullying, making Malaysia the second-worst in Asia and sixth-worst worldwide.
The law
Anti-bullying or cyberbullying does not have a standalone law in Malaysia. There are, however, many calls for the government to make it a criminal offence.
Under Malaysia’s Communication and Multimedia Act 1989, such crimes can be charged under Section 211, for creating content that is hateful, obscene, menacing and offensive directed to another party; and section 233, for using network facilities to create or solicit in transmitting hateful, obscene, menacing and offensive content directed to another party, with or without disclosing their identity.
In the Philippines, the Republic Act No 10627, also known as the Anti-Bullying Act, includes the act of bullying through electronic means; while in Singapore, the Protection of Harassment Act protects its citizens from actions that alarm and cause distress in person or online.
Malaysia, on the other hand, only utilises the general law and tries to curb the issue with strategies and drives.
A 2018 study finds the need to promote “digital responsibility” because “adult supervision does not guarantee the prevention of cyberbullying alone”, and is insufficient as other acts that could potentially cause distress are not adequately addressed.
Even though active parental involvement and education may contain the issue, this responsibility largely depends on the government’s action to protect students online and offline.
There is, however, good news for parents, students and teachers. While Malaysians demand a more substantial and thorough law to exist, the MCMC has given Multimedia University the green light to research cyberbullying, to determine if current acts are sufficient and whether more substantive laws can help manage it more effectively.
How to curb cyberbullying
With the help of international accrediting bodies such as the Council of International Schools, task forces and frameworks have been established so institutions, parents and staff are constantly educated on the protection of children. Unfortunately, this isn’t accessible by everyone across the country.
There is no better time to start protecting minors – and even adults – from malignant content. Parents need to ensure their children’s safety while playing games, chatting and on social media. While some independence needs to be established for teenagers, educating and monitoring their online presence from time to time is a must.
Parents have to observe their children and connect with them, and allow them to be upfront about their struggles, online or offline. If a child is affected by an issue and is comfortable with his or her parents, they will be able to have open and honest conversations.
Netizens must stay vigilant and should report harmful and offensive content online while encouraging others to do the same. There needs to be a sense of community to make sure everyone, especially minors, is in the safest space possible.
Resources
The Women’s Centre for Change has released a “Connection Savvy Pamphlet” that guides young internet users on what they can do to protect themselves online.
Unicef, meanwhile, released a guide on the types of danger minors are susceptible to during the pandemic’s home-based teaching and learning period.
If you or someone you know is being harassed, alert the authorities right away. The Malaysia Computer Emergency Response Team (MyCERT) has established Cyber999, where you can make a report through an online form or by sending an email.
You can also send an SMS to 15888 using the following format: CYBER999 REPORT [email address] [your report], or call the national hotline at 15999.
Talking to a professional can also be invaluable to help you express your thoughts safely. Organisations such as Thrive Well and the Befrienders are ready to help.
Though children should not be restricted from connecting virtually, those responsible for their wellbeing cannot be lenient and indifferent to the dangers that exist online. It is, therefore, vital for an all-encompassing law to be enforced to ensure children are always kept safe, even – and especially – in cyberspace.
Schooladvisor.my provides information on private and international schools, extra-curricular activities as well as other education-related topics in Malaysia.