Kota Kinabalu: Sepanggar MP Datuk Mustapha Sakmud cautioned young parents against the growing trend of using gadgets as “digital pacifiers” for children, warning that such practices put them at risk of exposure to harmful online content, including pornography.
He said the convenience of handing a smartphone or tablet to keep children quiet may appear harmless but carries long-term dangers.
“In gadgets, there is all sorts of content, including pornography. We do not want children, even at a very young age, to be exposed to such risks,” he said in his speech at the launch of STOP 2025: Wise Click, Guard Your Eyes and Heart for Wellbeing at Institut Latihan Perindustrian (ILP) here.
Mustapha noted that pornography has become easily accessible in today’s digital age, no longer hidden but only a click or swipe away.
He described it as a toxic influence that corrupts young minds, distorts healthy relationships, erodes self-worth, and traps individuals in addictive cycles.
He stressed that the issue is not merely moral but also one that affects mental health, family stability, and social values.
“STOP 2025 is not about punishment—it is about education, recovery and empowerment,” he said, adding that parents, teachers, youth and communities must work together to address the challenge.
Mustapha, who is also Deputy Higher Education Minister, said the pornography prevention programme focuses on three main pillars:1. Education & Prevention – Equipping parents, educators, and youth with digital literacy and the knowledge to make safe online choices.
2. Support & Rehabilitation – Providing young people with positive digital activities such as robotics, multimedia and IoT to prepare them for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and beyond.
3. Advocacy & Change – Building a MADANI digital society that rejects degrading content, empowers minds through knowledge, and fosters supportive community networks.
In a separate media interview, Mustapha linked the initiative to his broader vision of *Sejahtera Sepanggar*—a community not only equipped with modern infrastructure but also strong in human capital and values.
“We do not want our young people to be consumed by unproductive habits like pornography that damage their thinking and focus. Through sustained efforts, we aim to develop healthy and progressive human capital in Sepanggar,” he said.
He noted that the programme primarily targets young people and soon-to-be parents, believing that raising awareness among this group will indirectly safeguard future generations.
Mustapha commended the efforts of OKWA, SALWA, ILP, and ABIM in organising the event, saying the fight against pornography requires the commitment of all stakeholders.
“This is the beginning of a long journey. It will not be easy, but it is a meaningful struggle. Every mind protected is a victory for Malaysia’s future. Let us all become digital guardians for ourselves, our families and our communities,” he said.
