Media & Events

INTERNET SAFETY: Engaging the Scouts

01 Jun 2014, New Straits Times

SMART COLLABORATION: Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission promotes cyber security with a camp in Sandakan, Sabah

SCOUTS are typically engaged in practical outdoor activities like trekking and kayaking, and involving skills such as tying knots and starting a campfire. Of late, they have also been exposed to games like paintball.

Something quite different, however, would be a camping event based on a theme of a cyber nature, and this was what more than 1,000 scouts underwent recently in Sandakan, Sabah.

These scouts, aged between 13 and 17 years, were given a comprehensive exposure on positive Internet usage during the Click Wisely, also known as Klik Dengan Bijak (KDB), camp programme held at the Scouts Nature Park in Sandakan.

The scouts came from all around Sabah, covering six divisions.

The four-day event was organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in partnership with the Scouts Association of Malaysia and its Sabah branch. This was the second KDB camp programme, but the inaugural one held last year in Malacca was on a smaller scale.

The KDB camp programme saw the young scouts being able to experience scouting activities combined with information technology for a heightened knowledge and awareness of Internet safety.
So why such a theme, and now?
MCMC outreach and engagement division head Eneng Faridah Iskandar said that even though she and her colleagues are members of a regulatory body, they are also users of the Internet who engage in social media as well.

“We do know and understand what it is like as users, and at the end of the day, we are all stakeholders with interest invested in the success of the system that serves us as a nation,” said Eneng.

“Many issues involving irresponsible or careless use of the Internet are preventable, and arise mainly due to lack of knowledge and awareness.

“Everyone is connected online these days, so the message of Internet safety is important. With more younger users going online, it also means getting exposed to cyber bullying or other negative influences at a younger age.

“Scouts are respected by their peers and so they can be more effective in spreading the KDB message.

“It is also ideal to involve the scouts as their movement is based on discipline, with its motto of ‘be prepared’, and its use of the merit system for achievement.

“Our outreach is therefore to them and, through them, to their friends and peers.

“This camp programme comprises activities that they enjoy, which is outdoors rather than in the classroom.

“Now, they can earn merit badges for knowledge of Internet safety, which is an added attraction in getting their participation.”

Surilla Stimol, 46, is the Sembulan District commissioner and one of the sub camp leaders assigned to the movement’s Facebook page.

A teacher of English and the head of discipline at Sabah College in Kota Kinabalu, she has been a scout since her secondary schooldays.

“As a teacher, one of the biggest hurdles in school these days is that children are becoming glued to the Internet and being online.

“This KDB camp programme is therefore vital and timely, as what it offers is not covered in our exam syllabus,” said Surilla.

“What we are doing here is about keeping up with the times. Besides being more interesting and relevant for children, it also puts them in the position where they can go back to school and spread the message to their peers.”

Scouts who were interviewed said that besides the jungle trekking, obstacle course, flying fox and kayaking activities, they also enjoyed the KDB games at the booths that had been set up by MCMC and many of the organisations under its purview.

Among the activities involving creativity and teamwork, one required teams to make a short video and another required them to present a skit based on the
KDB theme.

“We teach the young by using scenarios,” said Eneng.

“Such activities allow for different people to play different roles based on their different strengths and interests.”

Said Khalisah Izyan Natasha Mohd Zaid, a first former from Maktab Sabah in Sembulan: “The activities have taught me about being bold and daring when faced with situations like an obstacle course.”

Fifth former Hafizah Abd Halim from SMK Sarizac 10 in Sembulan said: “It’s about working together and also exposure to new information and challenges.”

And another fifth former, Mohd Shafizee Hafiz Mohd Hamzee, from SMK Membakut, said he enjoyed being tested, be it the adventurous way or at the information booths.

The camp participants also had the chance to watch and listen to local rapper Caprice, who not only performed for them but motivated them with a talk as well.

The brainchild behind the educational platform at www.jiffy.my, Caprice said he wanted to see the country’s youths supporting each other by way of virtual bridges through the Internet.

“By being connected, children from the cities and rural areas can get together online and exchange ideas,” he said.

“At the same time, we need to ensure that they learn to use the Internet responsibly so that they uplift each other through mutual support, rather than end up becoming victims of cyber bullies.”

MCMC chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said that with unscrupulous people preying on ignorant users, the camp programme aimed to tap the potential of scouts as leaders among their peers and grooming them towards becoming examples of responsible users of the Internet.

“We believe that through this camp programme, (not only will the participants adopt the positive values being imparted to them because of the nurturing they received as scouts), they will also help to share what they have learnt with their family and friends, and help to guide those around them along the proper path as well,” said Mohamed Sharil.

National Chief Scout Commissioner Datuk Dr Mohamad Shahrum Osman said the scouting movement was about acquiring knowledge, attitude and skills.

“Our vision is for our message of prevention being better than cure to reach every home, every school, every community, and our hope is to see less social problems as a result,” he said.

“Our target is not only the children but also their parents, as the public should not always be relying on the authorities to ensure responsible use of the Internet.”

Added Mohamed Sharil: “We are very encouraged by the positive response shown by the scouts, who are very clearly into this programme. We intend to organise more KDB camp programmes, including for other groups, and the ones to come will be even more focused, with different syllabus for different participants.”

Check out what the scouts did during the KDB camp programme in Sandakan at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v>oddH2ckOqXA&feature>youtu.be

Global movement

SCOUTING came to this country as early as 1910, just two years after it was founded by Lord Baden-Powell. Starting with only two troops of 30 members in the colony of Singapore, the movement was next introduced in Pekan, Pahang, in 1912 followed by Penang in 1915. The Malaysian Scouting Association, also known as Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia, is today an organisation for boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 17 years. It is part of the global scouting movement and a member of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. It was established and officially regulated by an act of parliament through the Scouts Association of Malaysia (Incorporation) Act 1968.

Scouts learn about discipline while having fun. Many of the activities are based outdoors, which help to instil in them confidence, preparedness and social skills. They also get the opportunity to earn medals and merit badges when they take part in activities like camps and jamborees.

Students in national schools have to take part in co-curricular activities, including one belonging to a uniform body. There are almost 50,000 scouts in Malaysian schools today.

Scouts are trained in leadership skills. Some of the outdoor activities include map and compass reading, signaling, cooking, first aid, knowledge of knots, singing and collecting of patches and merit badges.

Click Wisely

KLIK Dengan Bijak (KDB) is an ongoing exercise aimed at educating the public regarding the safe and positive use of the Internet based on the three fundamental pillars of Internet safety, security and responsibility.

It stresses the importance of self-regulation in the curbing of Internet abuse.

Launched in 2012, more than 1,300 activities and events have been held around the country by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission using creative and innovative approaches. One way to being more involved is to visit and like the KDB Facebook page at www.facebook.com/klikdenganbijak

Caprice (centre) being mobbed by his young fans at the camp after giving a motivational talk.


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