Headline :Cyber safety programme

NST
Date :27/07/2005
Page :24
Byline :By R.S. Kamini
Type : News

KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - To curb cyber threats, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), today launched an Internet safety programme that helps raise awareness and protects children from smut sites.
Known as the "Positive Use of the Internet Programme" (Puip), it aims to address uncontrollable access to pornography.
It was launched along with a Kidsafe Internet Campaign spearheaded by software company Computer Associates (CA) International.
At the launch, Mosti, represented by deputy secretary-general Alihan Abdul Hamid, hosted a Puip conference.
Over 300 participants from Government departments as well as non-governmental and corporate organisations attended.
Delivering the keynote address, Alihan said the Internet was a valuable education resource that was being exploited for undesirable activities.
Thus it needed to be monitored so that it did not do more damage to society.
Mosti and CA are also collaborating with the Malaysian Coalition for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (MCPCSA) by pooling their resources to help parents monitor their children's use of the Internet.
The MCPCSA recently revealed that 1.5 million websites containing pornographic materials are easily accessed everyday.
It was estimated that 74 per cent of smut sites "masquerading" as harmless sites popped out on search engines widely used by school children to assist with schoolwork.
Also, a study by a local Internet service provider showed that a search for famous cartoon characters can lead to web pages containing hundreds of links to porn sites, of which at least 30 per cent are hardcore porn.
CA International managing director (Asia South), Piti Pramotedham (picture) said since cyber threats are becoming more rampant in Malaysia, parents and teachers play an important role.
"In Malaysia, children are more IT savvy than their parents. This does not mean that parents should leave the job of safeguarding children from Internet smut to authorities and schools alone," said Pramotedham.
The Kidsafe Internet Campaign aims to encourage parents to actively protect their children by educating them on the dangers children face on the Internet and highlighting the tools available that can be used to address the situation.
Parents are given tips on how to communicate with their children regarding cyber threats.
The issue is no longer about accessibility to indecent sites alone. It also concerns the number of sex crimes initiated from Internet chat rooms.
As a step to encourage responsible Internet usage, CA also donated 100 copies of security solutions to MCPCSA, which represents 23 NGOs such as the Young Achievers Club.
"We need a concerted effort to promote positive Internet usage.
"To start, local Internet service providers and telecommunication companies should provide optional services for Internet and mobile phone users to filter out smut," Pramotedham said.
(END)