07/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 7, 2026

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ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Gaps in childcare system oversight endanger young o Parents advised to ask remain committed to high child protection standards regardless of enforcement pressures,” he noted.

Proposed digital ban supported by specialists KUALA LUMPUR: Online maturity among children and teenagers goes beyond technical skills as it also involves emotional awareness, setting privacy boundaries and recognising manipulation and risks in the digital world. International Islamic University Malaysia Department of Psychiatry, Kulliyyah of Medicine assistant professor and psychiatrist Hijaz Ridzwan said those aged under 16 are still developing emotionally, making them more prone to impulsive, emotion-driven decisions. “Social media use requires maturity. Younger teens are more likely to post content in the heat of the moment without considering long-term consequences and are easily influenced by peers and social pressure.” He was commenting on the government’s plan to enforce a minimum age of 16 for social media use, expected to take effect in the second half of this year. He said the age of 16 marks a milestone when adolescents tend to show stronger critical thinking and are better equipped to evaluate risks, including scams, emotional manipulation and misleading content. “The concept of digital maturity is crucial. It includes understanding privacy boundaries, distinguishing real contacts from strangers, managing reliance on validation such as likes, and controlling impulses while accepting criticism,” he noted. He described the proposed minimum age as a positive step. “While age alone does not guarantee maturity, it allows for effective monitoring and guidance before adolescents are given unrestricted access to the digital world.” Hijaz said social media algorithms, designed to capture attention, could trap teenagers as repeated exposure to unrealistic content may harm self-esteem and distort perceptions of life standards or appearance. Children who fall victim to grooming often face long-term trauma, including anger issues, trust difficulties, social withdrawal and feelings of shame, guilt or fear, which may lead to depression. Despite these risks, he emphasised that technology exposure remains important, especially in learning and daily life, including home-based education. Fit In Child Development Centre Applied Behaviour Analysis therapist Shafiq Hamidon said early exposure to digital devices should be carefully controlled. Children aged under two should avoid screens entirely while those aged six and above should be limited to between one and two hours per day, balanced with physical activity and family interaction. He emphasised that excessive screen use could contribute to behavioural problems such as tantrums, irritability and difficulty controlling emotions. “A common mistake is using screens to calm a child during a tantrum, creating a cycle in which misbehaving earns screen time.” He also said short-form video platforms such as TikTok and YouTube Shorts could reduce attention spans, causing children to be easily bored in classrooms and struggle to follow lessons. They may also show limited interest in extended conversations, respond with short answers and experience speech delays. Shafiq urged parents to monitor behaviour and seek early intervention when needed, consulting specialists such as speech therapists or developmental paediatricians. He advised managing screen time with clear strategies and providing age-appropriate alternative activities to prevent children from returning to devices and exhibiting negative behaviours. – Bernama

At the core of childcare services are the fundamental rights of children, such as protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and access to a safe and clean environment, he noted. “Children are also entitled to holistic development, physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively, through age-appropriate learning, play and stimulation. “Every child must be treated equally, regardless of race, religion, gender, disability, nationality or background. “Caregivers must respect each child’s identity, including their name, culture, language and family background.” He added that children’s rights to rest, play and leisure must be upheld while practices such as harsh discipline, humiliation or shaming should never be tolerated. “These rights must not only be stated but clearly operationalised through daily practices, staff conduct, supervision and accountability mechanisms,” he said, urging parents to demand transparency and tangible proof of implementation. He emphasised that accountability must extend beyond individual caregivers to include the institutions and operators managing childcare centres. “Centres should not be allowed to operate without proper child protection and safeguarding measures in place. Strong regulation and accountability are necessary to ensure all centres meet minimum care standards,” he highlighted. Anderson cautioned against relying solely on external training providers, urging operators to implement internal training tailored to their specific guidelines and operational needs. “There must be clear accountability structures, including independent oversight and accessible reporting channels, to ensure concerns are addressed beyond internal management,” he said.

how centres handle disciplinary issues, protection concerns and medical emergencies

He said parents should look beyond facilities and activities when selecting a childcare centre. “Pay close attention to staff-to-child ratios and the level of supervision. For example, a centre may have CCTV installed but if there is no proper monitoring or review of the footage, it serves little purpose.” Anderson also advised parents to ask about how staff handle disciplinary issues, child protection concerns and medical emergencies. Clear and consistent processes are key indicators of a well-run centre, he said. He emphasised the importance of documented child protection policies, adding that centres must ensure staff are adequately trained to implement them. “There should also be a clear reporting mechanism for safeguarding concerns, including accessible channels for parents to raise complaints safely and without fear of retaliation,” he said. On whether children are adequately protected under current laws, he said reforms are still needed, particularly in ensuring all childcare centres adopt comprehensive written policies and SOPs. “Child protection must be a core requirement for operating a centre. Many centres still lack written policies, and without clear guidelines, staff may not know how to conduct themselves appropriately.” Caregivers must clearly understand acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, and their actions should always prioritise the child’s best interests, he added. Anderson also called for the establishment of independent complaint and reporting mechanisms beyond individual centres to ensure transparency and impartial investigations.

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Children in Malaysia’s childcare system remain vulnerable not because of a lack of policy but due to gaps in supervision, enforcement and accountability, experts say. Despite regulations and staff training, daily operations often fall short, leaving children at risk and parents in the dark. Suka (Suara Kanak-Kanak) Society, which advocates for child rights and protection, is sounding the alarm. “The biggest gap lies in how these elements are reflected in day-to-day operations. Staff may undergo training, but without proper supervision and guidance, what they have learned may not be effectively applied,” said its executive director Anderson Selvasegaram. He stressed that operators must be held accountable, noting that continuous monitoring is essential to ensure childcare providers meet minimum care standards. He highlighted structural challenges within the sector, particularly the tension between cost and quality. “Some centres may prioritise affordability or profit margins at the expense of adequate staffing, training and supervision. This directly impacts the quality of care provided. “Ultimately, there must be a culture of excellence in safeguarding, in which operators

WEAVING WONDERS ... Visitors yesterday viewing Khairulanwar Rahmat’s collection of Malay woven fabrics at the opening ceremony of Ragi: Visual Rhythms of Malay Tenun at Harta Space, Ampang in Kuala Lumpur. – BERNAMAPIC