SHAH ALAM - Influencers have the power to make online safety messages relatable and accessible, especially to younger audiences, says an expert.
Criminologist Shankar Durairaja recommended leveraging the popularity of influencers to promote digital literacy among youth and parents as a strategy to combat online threats.
He said the community and society often disregarded advice from experts but trust influencers because of their reach and relatability.
"By using influencers to promote digital literacy, even in 30-second videos, we can significantly raise awareness about the dangers of the online world and help people understand how to navigate it safely," he told Sinar Daily.
Shankar emphasised that the government should initiate awareness campaigns targeting children and parents, using influencers to drive home critical messages about online safety.
He said these short, engaging videos could address various online risks, including cyberbullying, online scams, exposure to violent or inappropriate content and the dangers of sharing personal information.
"These influencers already have the viewership and trust of the public. If they advocate for online safety, people are more likely to listen and act.
"Influencers can make the message more relatable and actionable for both children and adults," he said.
Beyond social media campaigns, Shankar advocated for integrating digital literacy into school curriculums.
He suggested introducing lessons on digital citizenship, online etiquette and safety measures to ensure children understand the boundaries of safe internet use.
"We don't need to teach in-depth technical knowledge but instead expose children to key issues, such as distinguishing between appropriate and inappropriate online behavior.
"Just as schools teach good touch and bad touch, we need to teach what is good and bad in the digital world," he added.
Shankar further highlighted the possible dangers children face online, including exposure to sexual grooming, cyberbullying, scams and violent content.
"Children, especially those under 13 are particularly vulnerable. However, anyone can fall victim to these crimes, regardless of age," he said.
While Shankar supported the inclusion of digital literacy in the school curriculum, he acknowledged societal resistance drawing parallels with the ongoing challenges of introducing comprehensive sex education in Malaysia.
"Society fears that exposing children to certain information might encourage negative behavior. But the reality is that children are already exposed to these things online.
"The problem is they don’t know what’s right or wrong," he said.
To address these issues, Shankar urged the government, educators and influencers to work together to prioritise online safety education.
"It's time we build a digitally literate society that can protect itself from the dangers of the internet.
"Influencers, schools and awareness campaigns can play a vital role in making this a reality," he added.