Policies alone not enough: Adults must guide children in digital age, says Temenggong Lau
by Philip Wong · Borneo Post OnlineSIBU (Dec 13): Any policymaking must strike a balance between protection and empowerment, as no law could replace the guiding presence of adults in a child’s life, said Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau.
The SMK Tung Hua board of directors chairman hailed parents and teachers as the most important guardians of students’ wellbeing.
Beyond relying on policy, he said parents could support their children by understanding their online habits, discussing digital risks openly, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering self-control and critical judgement.
“Teachers, on the other hand, play a crucial role in strengthening digital citizenship, handling cyberbullying, navigating online conflicts and communicating responsibly in the digital space.
“When adults work together, we help young people develop not just safety awareness but also the wisdom and maturity to use technology meaningfully,” he said during SMK Tung Hua’s annual ‘Awards Presentation Day’ on Friday.
Also present were the school’s board of management vice-chairman Dr Wong Soon Ting and principal Goi Nguok Yew were also present.
Recently, the Malaysian government announced that starting next year, children under 16 would no longer be allowed to register or use social media accounts.
Under the new Online Safety Act 2025, online platforms must implement electronic ID verification to confirm users’ age.
Lau acknowledged the policy’s objective of protecting young people from violent and inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online grooming, scams and unhealthy digital addiction – risks that had become increasingly prevalent as digital and physical spaces intertwine.
“However, some are concerned that strict restrictions may limit access to learning resources, hinder digital literacy or complicate school communication if commonly used platforms such as WhatsApp are categorised as social media,” he said.
To school-leavers, Lau reminded them to carry forward the values instilled in them, noting that their success was shaped not only by talents, but also by perseverance, character and the courage to use knowledge wisely.