Child grooming cases: Poor parenting the first failure - expert

Summary

• An expert says poor parenting is the first failure when it comes to online child grooming cases.

• Dr James Nayagam says protecting children will be useless if parents don't have a proper relationship with their kids.

• Bersatu's Mas Ermieyati and DAP's Syerleena Abdul Rashid both say influencers have a responsibility to their young audiences.

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While many have called for stricter enforcement over online child grooming, one expert said parenting is the first point of failure when such things happen.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Suriana Welfare Society's Dr James Nayagam said the protection of children will be rendered useless if parents don't have a proper relationship with their kids.

"In order to provide protection for my children, I must be an effective parent," he said.

James explained that a crucial step for effective parenting is an open channel of communication between parents and their children.

"Only because I have this open communication, I'm able to talk about protection, I'm able to talk about all other things (to my own children)," he added.

On May 25, the police revealed that they had detected a rise in the number of child sexual grooming cases involving social media influencers or individuals seen as public icons.

According to Bukit Aman’s Sexual, Women and Child Investigation Division (D11) principal assistant director Siti Kamsiah Hassan, over 30 percent of all child sexual grooming cases received by police involved such figures.

These individuals are said to have exploited their online popularity to approach and build relations with victims aged 18 and below before going on to commit indecent acts.

Siti attributed the rise of such cases to the sharp increase of influential figures on social media, adding that they not only comprise content creators but also teachers, artistes, athletes, and religious figures.

Check kids’ online behaviour

Speaking further on the role of influencers in grooming cases, James remained firm on the position of parents to curb dangers to their children.

"Any failure, when I deal with child sexual abuse, suicides, sexual grooming, the first thing I will admit to you is a failure on the parenting - that they have not established protection wall around their children, they have not sacrificially provided that (open) communication for the children.

"Rather, they've invested the time elsewhere. So, number one, that will be the cause. And then probably children (education)," he said.

James also stressed the need for parents to supervise the children’s online behaviour.

During a workshop he conducted with parents, James found that many of them did not know what type of video games their kids were playing and had little awareness of trends that impact newer generations.

The lack of digital safety education, as well as education on grooming, is the second most important issue, he added.

"Children don't fully understand what is inappropriate behaviour, communication, and how to react or respond to strangers," he said.

However, James warned against removing access to smartphones and computers for children, saying that it would only exacerbate the issue.

Hold influencers accountable

Asked about the ethical responsibilities of influencers towards a young audience, Bersatu Women’s chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said that they must be held responsible.

"I believe influencers who engage with children carry a clear moral and ethical duty.

"When children follow and admire public figures, that trust must never be exploited. Influencers must set a good example to the public," the Masjid Tanah MP said.

Similarly, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid called for influencers to use their platform to inspire and not exploit children.

"If you’re speaking to children - whether intentionally or not - you have to be aware of your influence. That means being thoughtful about what you say, how you dress, what you promote, and who you partner with.

"It’s not about censorship, it’s about care," she said.

Besides that, both lawmakers acknowledged that fractures within the existing outdated legal system contribute to such crimes.

Mas Ermieyati said frameworks in place are currently insufficient to address the scale and complexity of modern online threats.

Not only do platforms need to be held accountable for child safety lapses, but frameworks must also be regularly updated and paired with enforcement mechanisms as well as cross-border collaboration, she said.

Syerleena, on the other hand, said regulation is not enough to control the rise of child grooming cases.

"It must go hand in hand with education, parental support, and better platform accountability," she said.

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