SHAH ALAM – The involvement of teenagers in the sale of explicit content on social media and adult-sharing sites highlights the failure of protective measures and the necessity for stricter regulations.
Arunachala Research and Consultancy Sdn Bhd principal consultant R. Paneir Selvam expressed concern over the current social media landscape, where minors are able to promote and sell explicit content, including nude photos, in exchange for money.
"Strengthening legal frameworks and providing punishments as deterrents while offering rehabilitation opportunities was important,” he said.
Paneir emphasised the importance of collaboration between schools, parents, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies to develop comprehensive programs aimed at prevention and intervention.
He also called for continuous assessment and improvement of educational initiatives to help students understand the difference between right and wrong, noting that education and awareness are key to preventing minors from engaging in the sale of explicit content.
By promoting critical thinking, digital literacy and fostering a supportive environment, Paneir believes teenagers can be empowered to make more responsible choices online.
Criminologist Nadiah Syariani Md Shariff echoed Paneir’s concerns, stressing that education and awareness campaigns aimed at informing minors about the risks and consequences of selling explicit content were vital.
She noted that this issue reflects a broader moral erosion, apathy, and the rise of anti-social values among young people today.
"Therefore, any proactive prevention measure should incorporate these elements; highlighting the importance of having strong sense of self such as self-identity, self-worth and strengthening prosocial values, are important in mitigating individual involvement in such activity.
"This should be done at all levels be it family, school, and community (both physical and online) so our youngsters value prosocial beliefs and practices more,” she said.
Nadiah added awareness could also include information on legal implications, personal safety and the importance of seeking help if they are being exploited.
Aside from that, a strong collaboration with social media providers also needed to be in place.
"Initiative and communication have been made by the Communications Ministry, hopefully it will lead to a fruitful outcome.
"Whenever there is a reported case involving minor, identification and immediate removal of explicit content can be done.
"With strong collaboration, other initiatives may follow such as implementation of content moderation policy, age verification measures and build of reporting mechanism,” she said.
Nadiah said the most important step to stop these activities would be parental education on current online threats against minors.
"Updating parents on online safety, digital literacy, and monitoring tools to protect minors from exploitation and inappropriate online activities which should also include providing resources and guidance on how to recognise warning signs, and ways to respond effectively to potential risks,” she said.