TECHNOLOGY must never take the place of family values or diminish the role of parents in a child’s emotional and moral development, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said today.
Speaking at the ‘Wanita Pesona Elegan, Jiwa Sejahtera’ seminar at Kuching Polytechnic, Mustapha stressed that while technological proficiency is vital, it should be taught progressively and mindfully — from school through to higher education — to prevent overreliance and safeguard interpersonal relationships.
“There are students who prefer interacting with applications like ChatGPT rather than talking to their parents,” he said.
“They claim these applications provide quick and easy answers, while their parents are often too busy to respond to their questions.”
He warned that such behaviour reflects a growing disconnect within households, aggravated by parents who increasingly hand digital devices to young children simply to keep them quiet.
“In the process of educating, we have unknowingly handed over our role to technology. Eventually, children become too dependent on devices and no longer see their parents as the main source of love and guidance.”
The seminar, organised by Pertubuhan SALWA Malaysia and Puspanita’s Ministry of Higher Education branch, drew around 600 participants for a day of discussions centred on personal wellbeing and family empowerment.
Mustapha also encouraged students to engage in extracurricular programmes aimed at building character and leadership, saying such participation equips them with planning, management, and organisational skills that add significant value beyond academic achievements.
“This will not only boost their self-confidence but also serve as an important added value once they graduate,” he said. - July 17, 2025
