THE proposed Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA) is being positioned as a critical preventive tool to combat the growing threat of child sexual exploitation originating on digital platforms, as experts warn of a sharp shift in how such crimes are carried out.
Independent criminologist Shahul Hamid Abd Rahim told Sinar Harian that offenders are no longer relying on conventional methods, instead leveraging technology, private messaging applications, online games and social media to approach and manipulate victims.
According to Shahul, these platforms have become primary spaces where predators conduct grooming activities in stages, gradually building trust before exploitation occurs.
A recent case involving the rape of a 15-year-old girl, who had first connected with a suspect via TikTok, underscores how online interactions can escalate into real-world sexual violence.
“Predators typically disguise themselves, build trust and manipulate the victim’s emotions before exploitation occurs. This process is difficult to detect without clear monitoring and regulation.
“This is where the Online Safety Act becomes important, as it places stronger responsibility on platform providers to prevent harm, rather than merely acting after a crime has taken place,” he said.
Shahul noted that without legislation specifically designed to respond to evolving technologies, efforts to detect harmful content and suspicious communication remain slow and fragmented.
He added that while Malaysia already has laws such as the Penal Code and the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, emerging risks within the digital ecosystem require a more comprehensive regulatory approach.
“Existing laws largely focus on offences after the crime has occurred. Today, we face the need to prevent harm at an earlier stage through platform regulation, mandatory reporting and the retention of digital data.
“The Online Safety Act ensures there is digital accountability and enables swift action to remove content that could lead to exploitation,” he said.
Commenting on proposals to ban social media use for those under 16, Shahul said such measures may reduce direct exposure to certain risks but are unlikely to be sufficient on their own.
“If restrictions alone are relied upon, there is a risk of hidden or unsupervised usage. A more realistic approach is conditional access, strict age verification systems and active parental monitoring,” he explained.
He also stressed that social media companies cannot avoid responsibility by claiming to merely provide communication platforms, noting that many possess advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to detect suspicious behavioural patterns, including grooming and sexual exploitation.
“If platforms profit from users, they must also bear responsibility for protecting them, especially children.
“Failure to act reasonably on reports of exploitative content should be met with stricter penalties and legal action,” he said.
Shahul further emphasised that prevention cannot rely solely on enforcement, calling for early digital literacy education beginning at primary school level to raise awareness of online safety, privacy and emotional manipulation risks.
“Parents must be given exposure and training to understand digital risks and to monitor their children’s activities wisely.
“At the same time, society must cultivate the practice of reporting suspicious or immoral content to the authorities,” he said.
He concluded that a comprehensive approach combining legislation, education and family oversight represents the strongest safeguard against online predators.
“The aim is to protect the younger generation from harmful content, including sexual exploitation, gambling and other cybercrimes.
“Without a clear regulatory framework, the digital space risks becoming an unaccountable environment that could endanger children’s safety,” he said. - April 18, 2026
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