KUALA LUMPUR: The Parent Action Group for Education (Page) is calling on parents to play a role in curbing the overuse of social media among children to protect them from sexual crimes.
Page chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said while the government's announcement that it was studying amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act was commended, parents, too, should play a role at home.
"Although parents realise the importance for our children to be connected, there are dangers which can be minimised if there is an adequate law in place.
"Some young parents think that devices keep children quiet, but parental interaction is still superior and second to none."
Today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the government was studying amendments to the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 to address challenges posed by technology, including artificial intelligence.
She said this was important due to the rise of using AI for criminal purposes, including grooming.
"I cannot deny that the legislation we passed in 2017 may not adequately address the challenges posed by AI.
"For instance, when I speak to the police or the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, one of the significant issues they face is the sale of visual materials depicting children.
"Previously, this occurred mainly on the dark web, but now, perpetrators are operating on the wider web.
"When we talk about grooming facilitated by AI, another challenge is the method of payment.
"Perpetrators often use bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, making it difficult to trace who is paying for the grooming.
"With technology advancing rapidly, we need to thoroughly understand the current landscape and enact laws that can effectively address these challenges," she said.