By Adrian Hia

We are raising the most-connected generation in history, and perhaps the loneliest.

For the first time, we have Gen Alpha, a generation born entirely into the glow of screens and surrounded by devices that are almost extensions of themselves.

Kaspersky global research even shows that 61 per cent of children receive their first connected device between the ages of eight and 12, and 11 per cent as early as five.

With such early access, screens have become more than just a tool – they are companions, shaping how children learn, play and cope with emotions. Yet, what begins as a source of creativity and connection can quietly expand into an unfiltered digital world, rich with discovery but also with unseen risks and emotional strain.

As a father of two young daughters, I’m reminded every day how quickly online spaces take effect and how deeply they can steer what children notice, follow and believe.

When we talk about online danger, many still imagine the obvious: violent imagery, scams and predatory strangers. But danger today often looks very different and unassuming. It can take the form of a meme or emojis that ridicule one’s appearance, a “challenge” shared among classmates or a viral video that normalises aggression as humour.

Sometimes, the harm goes beyond what children post or share; it lies within the same online spaces that educate and entertain them. Kaspersky’s Children’s Digital Interests Report found that young users are increasingly exposed to sensitive content, often hidden within the very platforms that host their favourite videos and games.

Quiet exposure, loud consequences

Over time, these constant and quiet exposure through the devices they trust most begins to shape how young people think, feel and interact, influencing how they see themselves and others. This can sometimes escalate into cyberbullying, one of the most serious digital threats faced by children and teenagers today.

A Malaysian study recently found that 13.7 per cent of adolescents in Peninsular Malaysia have experienced cyberbullying, with victims significantly more likely to report suicidal thoughts and behaviours. According to global statistics, Malaysia ranked second in Asia and sixth worldwide for cyberbullying prevalence, with one in four Malaysian parents reporting their child had been affected.

Building digital empathy

Cyberbullying is not new, but its reach and intensity have evolved with technology. Today, harmful content spreads faster, cloaked behind anonymity and algorithms that reward engagement over empathy. This makes it harder for authorities, parents, teachers and even the platforms themselves to keep up.

While we may not be able to stop every harmful post, message or content for now, we can start by building the culture around them, teaching our children the values that make online spaces more humane.

A collective effort for digital safety

Protecting Malaysia’s digital generation requires more than filters and enforcement. It begins with cultivating digital empathy, helping the children recognise how their words and actions online can affect others.

Empathy should not stop with users. The apps, games and platforms that are part of young people’s everyday lives should be designed with safety and respect in mind, not just engagement and reach.

Schools can provide safe spaces where students feel comfortable reporting issues without stigma while educators can nurture critical thinking and teach children to question what they see online.

Parents can guide through open conversations, supported by digital tools that offer real-time insights and alerts without crossing the line into digital surveillance.

Meanwhile, policymakers continue to strengthen safeguards through frameworks such as the forthcoming Online Safety Act 2024. The Act recognises a wide range of online harms, from harmful content to harassment and cyberbullying, as well as strengthens accountability for platforms to protect users.

Real safety begins when empathy becomes part of how we teach, design and interact online, and when every part of the digital ecosystem chooses to lead with responsibility and example.

-- BERNAMA

Adrian Hia is the Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity and digital privacy company. With more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector, he has been actively involved in advancing digital safety and cyber security awareness across the region.