Online Safety IRL Shapes New Generation To Tackle AI Scams

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- A total of 35 young changemakers and content creators have been selected to lead online safety advocacy through the Online Safety IRL: Scam Edition programme.

As trusted voices in their respective communities, these participants collectively have the potential to reach and connect with over five million online users to raise awareness about scams and shape safer digital behaviour.

The programme, jointly driven by the Ministry of Communications, CelcomDigi Berhad, Meta Platforms, Inc. and Ratio:Cause, with the support of media partner Tonton, aims to build a strong network of digital safety advocates and maximise impact through the engagement of various stakeholders in the community.

Following the success of its first edition, which has positively impacted over 2.8 million Malaysians through digital security awareness content, the second edition returns with a focus on addressing the growing threat of financial fraud, particularly scams that use AI technology to manipulate society.

“Participants in this programme will undergo an immersive, comprehensive fellowship that includes masterclasses with experts, mentoring and community activities, to strengthen their fraud identification skills and understand the role of AI in security and fraud risks,” said a joint statement from the Ministry of Communications, CelcomDigi Berhad, Meta Platforms, Inc., Ratio:Cause and Tonton

In the same statement, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said fraud affects everyone, and protecting Malaysians requires cooperation from all parties.

“This programme shows what can be achieved when the government, industry and community work together to raise awareness and strengthen online safety for all,” said Fahmi.

CelcomDigi head of sustainability Philip Ling said content creators and youth leaders are catalysts of change with the potential to reach and influence communities both online and offline.

“We have seen the impact of peer-led advocacy in shaping the way Malaysians navigate the digital world. Through Online Safety IRL, we are helping to build a dynamic network of advocacy activists that spark conversations, change behaviours and make the internet safer for all,” he said.

He said CelcomDigi remains committed to creating a safer and more secure digital environment for all and will continue to develop strategic partnerships to build a trusted digital society.

Meanwhile, Meta head of public policy for Malaysia and Brunei, Daniel Lim, said protecting consumers online is a shared endeavour, and the company is working to equip the next generation with the skills and awareness needed to navigate the digital space with confidence.

“Through the Online Safety IRL programmw, we are proud to support young leaders and content creators in championing awareness of fraud and promoting safer online behaviour in their communities. Together with our partners, we are building a safer and more informed digital future for all Malaysians.” he said.

According to Ratio:Cause executive director New Su Shern, the success of the first edition proves how powerful the impact of collaboration can be when multiple stakeholders come together with a clear goal.

“This year, we are expanding that impact even further, reaching more people nationwide through a more diverse group of content creators and youth participants.

“Together with the Ministry of Communications, Meta, CelcomDigi and Tonton, we are building resilience against fraud not just as a campaign, but as a movement driven by the voices of our own communities,” she said.

Content creators will undergo a three-month fellowship programme including an RM8,000 grant for producing content related to scam awareness and a Masterclass with experts in topics such as fraud psychology, AI-generated scams, and ethical content creation, in addition to exclusive opportunities to build relationships with corporate partners, government agencies and like-minded content creators.

The statement also said young people will undergo a six-month fellowship programme including Masterclasses with experts focusing on community activities and advocacy, as well as topics such as the psychology of deception, AI-generated fraud, and others, mentorship from programme peers and industry experts, and practical opportunities to design community projects related to fraud awareness.

To coincide with the launch of Online Safety IRL: Scam Edition, Meta also introduced a new scam awareness game called 'Is This Legit?', now available in Bahasa Malaysia for local audiences. This interactive game is designed to equip the online community with the skills to identify and avoid common scams.

Access 'Is This Legit?' on desktop or mobile devices now at my.isthislegit.eyeyah.com.

"For more information about the programme and the results from the Online Safety IRL participants, visit www.onlinesafetyirl.com and follow @onlinesafetyirl on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok," according to the statement.

-- BERNAMA