KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the critical role of parents in safeguarding children from online risks during the 2026 Safe Internet Campaign Community Carnival held yesterday at Dataran Pantai Ria in Lembah Pantai.

Fahmi urged parents to actively utilize parental control features available on digital platforms to monitor and restrict their children’s internet usage. He stressed that while government measures such as age restrictions and safety guidelines are important, parental involvement remains the primary defense against exposure to harmful online content and threats.

“To ensure digital safety, it is insufficient to rely solely on enforcement by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), police, and other authorities,” Fahmi said. “The government and authorities can establish certain limits, but ultimately, it is the users who continue to use the Internet.”

In addition to maintaining vigilance over children’s internet activities, Fahmi cautioned the public about the rising sophistication of cyber scams. He highlighted that scammers are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence and face filter technologies to create deceptive online profiles, often aiming to manipulate victims emotionally for financial gain.

“There are all kinds of applications and ways people will use to convince us that we are talking to someone handsome or beautiful,” Fahmi explained. “They want us to fall in love with them. They want us to give them money, and eventually, we lose all sorts of things.”

The minister’s remarks come amid growing concerns about digital safety and the need for a collective approach involving parents, users, and authorities to build a secure online environment for children and the wider public.