PARENTS MUST PLAY ACTIVE ROLE, MONITOR CHILDREN’S EMOTIONS - DR WAN AZIZAH

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- Parents have been urged to be more attentive and take an active role in monitoring their children’s emotions and social interactions amid today’s digital challenges, emphasising love, religious guidance, and open communication within the family.

The Prime Minister’s wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said the nation has recently been rattled by several concerning incidents involving children and adolescents, highlighting the urgent need for serious attention from all, particularly parents, who serve as the family’s primary safeguard.

“Whenever such incidents go viral, we are left wondering what is happening to our children.

“Whether we realise it or not, our children today are confronted with increasingly complex pressures and influences, from social media and peers to mental health challenges. Yet, amidst these challenges, we must remember that the family remains the foremost safeguard,” she said in her speech at the launch of the 2025 National Family Month celebration here today.

She emphasised that, although parents cannot control every aspect of the outside world, they can shape the home environment by cultivating a loving atmosphere and mindfully addressing their children’s needs.

“Another key aspect I wish to emphasise in fostering harmonious families is the guidance of religion, noble values, and good character, so that our children develop a stronger defence in resisting negative influences.

“We must be observant and ask what is happening at school and in their social circles. We should monitor our children’s social media activity, recognise changes in their emotions or behaviour, and create a space for them to share their thoughts without being judgemental,” said Dr Wan Azizah.

At the same event, she also launched the KASIH MADANI 2.0 initiative as a proactive effort to strengthen spousal relationships and underscore the role of fathers as the cornerstone of the family.

KASIH MADANI 2.0 was developed by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) in collaboration with academics and family experts, including representatives from non-governmental organisations. It features two core modules: Romantika Cinta (Romance of Love) and Kebapaan (Fatherhood), tailored specifically for newlyweds and fathers.

Themed KASIH Keluarga, Bahagia Bersama, the 2025 National Family Month celebration urges the embrace of KASIH values: KASIH sayang (love and affection), AKHLAK mulia (noble character), gaya hidup SIHAT (healthy lifestyle), pencapaian ILMU (the pursuit of knowledge fostering critical thinking and information literacy), and suasana HARMONI (harmonious environment).

-- BERNAMA