SHAH ALAM, June 3 — A child who suddenly becomes more secretive, appears anxious when receiving messages, or refuses to show their phone to their parents may be experiencing cyberbullying, harassment, or other forms of digital threats.
Salam Senawang Specialist Hospital's visiting child psychologist and expert court witness Dr Noor Aishah Rosli said such behavioural changes should not be taken lightly, as they may stem from unpleasant experiences encountered online.
Many parents still assume their children are safe simply because they are at home, when in reality threats such as cyberbullying, extortion, sexual harassment, and online exploitation can occur through smartphones and social media.
“Many parents feel their children are safe because they are at home. However, they do not realise that digital threats can occur 24 hours a day through smartphones, tablets, and social media.
“Unlike bullying at school, which usually stops when a child returns home, cyberbullying can continue day and night, causing significant emotional and mental health consequences for the victim,” she told Media Selangor.
Dr Aishah added that among the early warning signs parents should watch for are emotional changes, such as increased irritability, heightened sensitivity, low mood, or persistent anxiety without any obvious reason.
Some children may also exhibit behavioural changes by withdrawing from others, showing less interest in family activities, or preferring to spend time alone more often than usual.
“There are also children who suddenly become afraid of using their phones or social media, despite previously being very active users.
“They may be facing threats, harassment, unpleasant experiences that their parents are unaware of,” she said.
Similarly, sleep disturbances, nightmares, difficulty concentrating on studies, and a decline in academic performance are also warning signs that should not be ignored.
Dr Aishah noted that children who become victims of cyber threats often become more secretive and reluctant to discuss what is happening to them.
“If a child who was previously very open suddenly becomes highly withdrawn, refuses to allow parents to look at their phone, or appears anxious whenever they receive a message, these are signs that warrant further attention.
“Parents need to communicate openly with their children and seek to understand what they are experiencing, rather than immediately punishing or scolding them,” she said.
The psychologist emphasised that children today often receive smartphones before they have acquired sufficient knowledge about digital safety.
As such, online safety education should begin from an early age, including teaching children not to share personal information, home addresses, telephone numbers, or photographs that could reveal their identity to strangers.
Dr Aishah also advised parents to set limits on screen time, monitor the apps their children use, and spend more time engaging in family activities to reduce excessive dependence on social media.
“Our goal is not to control children at all times, but to guide them into becoming wise, safe, and responsible digital users.
“Most importantly, children need to feel that home is the safest place for them to share their problems without fear of being scolded or punished,” she said.
Starting on Monday (June 1), the country began implementing age-verification requirements for registering and creating social media accounts, ensuring that individuals under 16 are no longer permitted to open accounts.
Under the new regulations, users wishing to register an account must provide an official government-issued identification document, such as a MyKad, passport, or MyDigital ID, to verify their age.
For existing users, age verification will be carried out progressively over a period of up to six months by the relevant social media service providers.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said that during this period, existing users identified as being under the age of 16 will be given one month to download or transfer their data, including photographs and videos, before any restrictions, suspensions, or other measures are imposed by the relevant social media platforms.
The age verification requirement applies to licensed social media services, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
