Parents asked to monitor children’s social media usage

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MIRI: The public in Miri welcomed the government’s effort in reinforcing its global intelligence network to counter terrorism and militant activities, particularly the spread of Islamic State (IS) influence in the country.

Equally welcome was the call by education activist Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim (head of Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia) to schools and institutes of higher learning in Malaysia to warn students of the danger of IS.

This followed the latest arrest of a Malaysian teenage girl for alleged involvement in the militant group at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Wednesday.

Miri Resident Antonio Kathi Galis said while the government is curbing IS from further influencing Malaysians, parents should monitor their children’s activities on social media like Facebook as they are still young and immature to think carefully.

“Schools too should play their roles in reminding their students to be mindful of friends in social media and to be guarded properly using the Rukun Negara as it is our pillar …such as loyalty to the country, respecting people and religions,” said Antonio.

He spoke to thesundaypost when met during Miri mayor Lawrence Lai’s Chinese New Year open house on Friday.

Lai was supportive of every effort to counter terrorism, militant activities as well as religious extremism.

“To me, all religions should not condone violence but instead must preach charity, compassion and love for all mankind regardless of race or creed,” he stressed.

His deputy Mohd Che Kadir who echoed similar views reiterated that the creation of IS was not Islamic.

“It is very worrying and alarming to know a 14-year-old girl beginning to see the attraction of this trend. I couldn’t imagine my kids going to the Middle East to fight for the IS. Parents should play their role in curbing social media influences.

Individually we cannot do much to stop our children from accessing the social media. Probably our government should think deeper on how best to control the social media even though it breaches the free flow of information and freedom of speech,” he stressed.

Deputy Home Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, in Kuching on Thursday, said the government was seriously monitoring IS activities, especially on the social media where they promote their ideology not only to Muslims but other communities, making them believe in IS struggles in Iraq and Syria.

He said IS influenced children and youths using multiple approaches such as promoting their ideas in schools through teachers who support their cause.

Wan Junaidi said apart from enhancing global cooperation, a bill to tackle the threats of terrorism and militant activities including the IS militant group would be tabled in Parliament in March.

The bill, when passed, will heighten the prevention measures as it strengthen the police force and intelligence gathering agency – the Special Branch – to gather information.

He added that through the introduction of the law, a counselling and training system will be established to change affected individuals’ mindset for them to return to the right path.