Kuala Lampur, June 25 -- A 15-year-old Iban child in Kapit uses social media to improve her English. A child with a disability finds friendship and support through an online community. A stateless teenager stays connected to information, learning and opportunities through digital platforms.

For many children, the digital world is not a luxury. In Malaysia, 94 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 use the internet, and nearly all go online daily. It is where they learn, play, express themselves, seek help and take part in society. That is why the debate about online safety must start with a simple principle: Children should not have to choose between being safe and being able to learn, connect, participate, and thrive online.

However, onlin...