Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, has emphasised the need for stronger measures to safeguard children and adolescents online, warning that unchecked digital spaces can become toxic and inflict lasting harm.
Speaking through a statement on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, Her Majesty expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of mental health issues and their impact on young people.
“I was deeply affected by the tragic death of a female student last year who was stabbed at her school. I am concerned about the influence of online environments, which pose multiple threats to the mental well-being of the community, particularly our youth. Authorities and society must act decisively to protect the younger generation from online risks,” she said.
Her Majesty made the remarks to the Royal Press Office following a meeting with a delegation from the Oxford Alumni Malaysia Club at Istana Negara yesterday, where cybersecurity and online safety were key topics of discussion.
In a related initiative, Her Majesty recently launched the Ilham Seni Diraja programme, a pilot project involving 200 school students in Kuala Lumpur. The initiative is designed to engage B40 students in the arts, promote mental wellness, and prevent involvement in social issues.
This call highlights the growing recognition of digital safety as a national priority, particularly as young people spend increasing amounts of time online.
