DIGITAL safety must be acknowledged as a fundamental life skill for navigating today’s online world, and responsibility for cultivating safer digital environments should be shared by all sectors of society, said Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community.
“Digital safety education is no longer the sole domain of IT professionals. It has become a critical necessity for every individual,” Bernama quoted Lee saying in a statement on Sunday, noting that digital platforms now shape how people communicate, learn, work, and socialise.
Lee stressed that while the Internet offers vast opportunities for learning and development, it also exposes users—especially the young—to serious risks including cyberbullying, scams, grooming, identity theft, misinformation and inappropriate content.
“In many cases, children and even adults are unaware of the dangers that lurk online or lack the digital literacy needed to protect themselves,” he warned.
He noted that barriers to achieving widespread digital literacy include lack of awareness, limited access to training, and generational gaps, which make it difficult for parents to keep pace with evolving technologies. Additional challenges include misinformation, excessive screen time, and the absence of critical thinking skills.
To address these gaps, Lee proposed community-based digital literacy initiatives involving collaboration between government bodies, schools and NGOs. These could take the form of workshops and awareness campaigns targeted at parents, children and community leaders.
He also emphasised the need for schools to embed digital safety into their curricula, including topics such as digital citizenship, cyber hygiene, and critical thinking.
“Parents must be equipped with tools, training and support to guide their children’s online activities, foster open communication, and stay actively involved,” he added.
Lee further urged public-private partnerships to work with technology companies to promote safe digital practices, including the use of content filters, parental controls and age-appropriate platforms. He also called for children to be taught how to report harmful content and to be encouraged to engage ethically and responsibly online.
“Let us empower our communities to be digitally literate, critically aware, and cyber-resilient,” Lee said. “Protecting our children and building a safer digital future begins with informed action today.” - June 8, 2025
