KUALA LUMPUR: With cyberbullying coming under intense scrutiny lately, a former beauty queen has started a campaign to fight the scourge – an issue she had championed when she took part in Miss Universe Malaysia 2018.
Jane Teoh launched the Anti-Cyberbullying Campaign #DareToShout yesterday to raise awareness on online misconduct in the community.
The 27-year-old social media personality said she took the initiative to organise the campaign as she is also an influencer and wants to spread and encourage the positive use of the Internet to the public.
“This campaign is aimed at promoting anti-cyberbullying. I raised this issue when I participated in Miss Universe Malaysia 2018. So this campaign allows me to continue the effort.
“It is an issue that is also very relevant to students today since social media is part of our lifestyle and they need to know their responsibilities as users,” she said when met by reporters after giving a talk on anti-cyberbullying, youth and women’s empowerment to more than 200 students of SM Stella Maris here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Teoh said the campaign would be held in schools and universities and welcomes more participants to make it a success.
According to Teoh, she will also get other social media influencers to promote the campaign.
“I have invited a few and plan to involve more influencers such as TikTokers and YouTubers who are popular among children,” she said.
Teoh said programmes should be held for school students to expose them to online misconduct and suggested that the topic be included in the school syllabus.
Last Friday, the Cabinet at its weekly meeting agreed to establish a special committee to deal with the issue of cyberbullying in the country.
It came following the death of Rajeswary Appahu, a 30-year-old activist and social media influencer better known as Esha, on July 5 allegedly due to cyberbullying.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police to take a tough stand against cyberbullies.
