logo
Safeguarding children online: Combating the growing threat of CSAM in Malaysia

Safeguarding children online: Combating the growing threat of CSAM in Malaysia

Borneo Post16-07-2025
Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals must remain vigilant and proactive but many Malaysian families still
hold misconceptions about online safety and the risks it poses. — AI Image
KUALA LUMPUR (July 16): Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) refers to any content that depicts the sexual abuse or exploitation of children.
It is a serious crime and a severe violation of a child's rights and dignity.
As children increasingly spend time online through social media, games, and other digital platforms, they are more exposed to risks such as online grooming, manipulation, and exploitation.
This makes them highly susceptible to harm, as offenders can easily reach and target them through the very spaces they use daily.
The growing presence of CSAM in the digital world highlights the urgent need to protect children and educate them, as well as parents and communities, about online safety.
As part of the broader efforts under the Kempen Internet Selamat (KIS), raising awareness about Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) has become a critical national priority.
In today's digital world, educating the public, especially parents, caregivers, educators, and community leaders on internet safety is essential to protect children.
CSAM is a severe and lasting trauma that demands a united and informed response. Through greater vigilance, open dialogue, and coordinated action, together as a society can build safer online spaces for every child.
Dato' Dr Amar Singh
Dato' Dr Amar Singh, consultant paediatrician and child-disability activist, warns that CSAM is not merely explicit material.
'CSAM involves sexually explicit images or videos of a child or adolescent. It is a record of a crime against a child and a permanent record of the child's victimisation and trauma,' said Dr Amar.
'The Internet allows for the widespread sharing and distribution of CSAM, which can cause lifelong psychological distress to most children, even as adults. This re-victimises the child again and again.'
According to Dr Amar, the psychological impact of CSAM on young victims is profound and devastating.
'Those victimised by CSAM have significant psychosocial trauma resulting in anxiety disorders, depression, and suicidal tendencies. They feel hopeless and experience a loss of control over the continued circulation of their images,' he explained.
'More importantly, they have great difficulty in trusting others and forming meaningful relationships.'
This deep emotional wound does not stop at the child.
Dr Amar said: 'These psychological and emotional struggles are also felt by their parents and siblings, disrupting family relationships. At times, parents unreasonably vent their anger on the child who was abused.'
The easy accessibility of CSAM online also has far-reaching effects on other children.
It can heighten sexuality and lead to increased sexual activities among youth, sometimes even resulting in children exploiting other children.
The introduction of AI-generated CSAM has further complicated the problem, as this material can be produced and circulated without a child's knowledge or direct involvement.
One of the greatest challenges lies in identifying the signs that a child might have been exposed to or is being groomed online.
In his book 'Cybersafety: A Handbook for Parents & Children', Dr Amar shares some critical behavioural red flags.
These include a child becoming nervous or emotional when online, being overly secretive about their digital life, sudden social withdrawal, unexplained changes in behaviour or academic performance, mood swings, and a sudden refusal to use their devices.
Parents, educators, and healthcare professionals must remain vigilant and proactive. Many Malaysian families, however, still hold misconceptions about online safety and the risks it poses.
They often believe that monitoring screen time alone is sufficient or that their child would always inform them of problems.
In reality, as Dr Amar stressed many children do not disclose online abuse due to fear of punishment, embarrassment, or losing access to their devices.
The circulation of CSAM through private messaging apps and encrypted platforms has further complicated matters.
Adolescents who unintentionally come across such material may suffer from shock, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
According to Dr Amar, the loss of a safe online space and the guilt associated with accidental exposure can have lasting psychological repercussions.
Creating a safe, open environment for children to discuss uncomfortable or inappropriate content is crucial.
Dr Amar advocates for honest, non-judgmental communication at home.
'Attempts to scare children about online risks usually do not work,' he wrote.
'Our children and teenagers are naturally curious and need open and honest communication, a safe environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and discussing their concerns about online sexual material without fear of judgment.'
Schools, paediatricians, and community mental health workers also play vital roles.
Schools can integrate cybersafety education into their curriculum, helping children understand boundaries and identify grooming behaviour.
Paediatricians can support parents by providing guidance during consultations, and community mental health workers can create support systems for at-risk children and their families.
Dr Amar highlighted the need for collective responsibility in protecting children.
'Preventing children and teenagers from sexual abuse and exploitation requires a combination of education, open communication in families, setting boundaries and fostering safe online behaviour, with governmental protection to ensure online safety for children,' he said.
Adults have a responsibility to actively engage in safeguarding children's digital experiences. This includes knowing their children's online friends, monitoring screen activities, and fostering discernment in using social media.
The recently enacted Online Safety Act 2024 empowers the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to regulate online safety, but more needs to be done to ensure its effectiveness.
Dr Amar also underscored the importance of society's role as a watchdog.
Communities should remain vigilant, report predatory online sites and individuals to the MCMC, and support efforts to create safer digital environments.
For children who have been affected by CSAM-related trauma, therapeutic strategies play an essential role in recovery.
According to insights from Dr Amar's book, trauma-informed therapy, supportive counseling, and family-based interventions help victims rebuild trust, regain a sense of safety, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. These approaches must be compassionate and tailored to each child's unique emotional needs.
The issue of CSAM is a complex, multifaceted problem requiring urgent attention and coordinated action.
As Dr Amar emphasised the combination of familial involvement, community vigilance, and governmental intervention can help safeguard children's psychological well-being in digital spaces.
This problem demands a unified approach from all sectors of society for it to be solved.
In a digital era where dangers often lurk behind screens, protecting children from CSAM and online exploitation is not merely a parental duty but a collective societal imperative.
As the country strives to build a safer online environment, it is vital to remember Dr Amar's words and commit to creating a world where every child can navigate the internet safely and grow into adulthood free from the scars of digital abuse. Child Sexual Abuse Material Dr Amar Singh Kempen Internet Selamat lead
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Covid-19 exposed our healthcare system's weakness, say doctors
Covid-19 exposed our healthcare system's weakness, say doctors

The Star

time4 hours ago

  • The Star

Covid-19 exposed our healthcare system's weakness, say doctors

PETALING JAYA: The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the fragility of the country's healthcare services, says consultant paediatrician and child disability activist Datuk Dr Amar-Singh HSS. 'It is not that we did not know that our health services had been slowly decaying for decades, but we were not allowed to speak publicly about it and always 'today, you will have to manage with what you have'. 'During the height of the pandemic, we experienced desperate cries for help to find an ICU bed for their family members. The support for carers was weak, equipment and resources were limited even in non-pandemic times, stretched thin. 'Some doctors placed their children with grandparents and did not see them for months,' said Dr Amar at a launch of the book titled 'Crisis and Community: Covid-19 in Malaysia' at Gerakbudaya here Sunday (July 27). The book is a compilation of essays on the Covid-19 crisis by all levels of society, edited by Bridget Welsh. Speaking further at the event, which was attended by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Dr Amar said that there must be better preparation for the next pandemic by placing greater emphasis on building our institutional services, especially health, education and social services. Fellow panellist Ampang Hospital paediatrician Dr Tan Hui Siu narrated how the medical officers and healthcare workers trudged through the pandemic and had to make do with what they had as frontliners. 'We were giving our best in caring, but also to provide compassionate care and treatment that soothes and comforts everyone. 'So there was a gap where we were actually preparing those guidelines and with some of the clinicians, but by the time they were implemented, it was inadequate,' said Dr Tan. She talked of how she struggled to cope with the deaths of patients younger than her and how her teams had to care for patients on their deathbeds alone due to the lockdown. Meanwhile, virologist and policy analyst Dr Lyana Khairuddin called for better education on the vaccine naysayers as well as more investments to be made into vaccine research and development. She labelled the frantic search for vaccines during the pandemic as the 'Vaccine Hunger Games'. 'The Hunger Games aside, there was also the fight to actually get a slot to be jabbed,' said Dr Lyana. She said that the pandemic revealed the need for more science education among Malaysians. 'There are still people saying 'I have survived the pandemic and I am not vaccinated and I am okay and healthy'. Then, there are those who say that 'my mother died because she got the vaccine',' said Lyana. She stressed that there must be more conversations on why vaccines were given during the pandemic and more critical thinking so that people do not fall easily for 'popular traditional cures' during the next pandemic.

Johor's healthcare crisis deepens amidst staffing shortages, Singapore's pull
Johor's healthcare crisis deepens amidst staffing shortages, Singapore's pull

Focus Malaysia

time8 hours ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Johor's healthcare crisis deepens amidst staffing shortages, Singapore's pull

JOHOR is facing a severe healthcare staffing crisis, driven by overworked personnel, a surging population, and the steady migration of medical talent to neighbouring Singapore. According to The Straits Times, the state urgently requires at least 4,600 more healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, to meet growing demands. Major hospitals like Sultanah Aminah and Sultan Ismail are operating at 100–110% capacity daily. Nurses are caring for up to 14 patients per shift, twice the ideal ratio, while some patients are forced to sleep in waiting areas. Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Malaysia's second busiest public hospital, sees more than 2,000 patients daily. Former government cardiologist Dr Ng Kim Fong, who left the hospital in 2024 after nearly two decades, said he once tended to around 100 patients a day. He has since moved to private practice with a significantly higher salary. Johor's population surged by 11.1% over the past decade, reaching 4.01 mil in 2024. The strain on healthcare services has become unsustainable, prompting the Johor Regent to urge the federal government to accelerate recruitment efforts. A major driver of the crisis is the exodus of healthcare professionals to Singapore, drawn by better pay and working conditions. Senator R.A. Lingeshwaran noted that Singapore offers Malaysian doctors up to S$110,000 annually plus perks, compared to just RM72,000 (S$22,000) for a Malaysian medical officer with three years' experience. Low salaries, overwork, poor work culture, and limited career advancement are pushing more Malaysian healthcare workers to leave the public sector or move abroad. —July 1, 2025 Main image: FSMOne

University denies delayed emergency response in death of China student
University denies delayed emergency response in death of China student

New Straits Times

time11 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

University denies delayed emergency response in death of China student

KUALA LUMPUR: The private university in Sepang where a student was found dead in his dormitory room is denying allegations that there was a delay in the emergency response time. A spokesperson for the private university said while the student's symptoms resembled a heart attack, the actual medical condition required specific treatment beyond standard emergency equipment designed for cardiac issues, Sin Chew Daily reported, quoting a statement from the Xiamen University. According to the police, results of the post mortem determined the cause of death to be pulmonary thromboembolism due to right deep vein thrombosis. The student, idetified as a 20-year-old male from China, was found dead in his dormitory yesterday morning. "His condition required specialised medical intervention and equipment," the university said. "The critical window for rescue was very short and exceeded the scope of typical emergency response tools usually used for heart-related episodes," the spokesperson said. The university said it had immediately activated their emergency response protocol when the incident occurred. "This included an on-site certified first responder administering CPR, quick contact with emergency medical services and immediate assistance from dormitory staff and campus security," the university said. "The university also set up an emergency response task force and contacted forensic experts as per police instructions. Psychological support teams were deployed to assist the affected students and the student's family," the spokesperson said. The university said it is now fully assisting the family in handling the aftermath and is closely cooperating with Malaysian authorities, hospitals, and the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia to provide support to the family members. Earlier, Sepang police chief Assistant Commissioner Norhizam Bahaman confirmed the incident was classified as sudden death (SDR) as investigations found no criminal elements or foul play.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store