JKM Warns Against Sharing Children’s Identities

PUTRAJAYA, July 8 — The Social Welfare Department (JKM) has issued a stern warning urging the public, social media users, and media practitioners to completely halt the dissemination of digital content that could expose a child’s identity.

The directive comes as the department takes a serious view of the widespread online circulation of photographs, videos, and private information related to a recent viral school incident involving students. JKM emphasized that sharing such materials compromises ongoing investigations and causes severe psychological harm to minors.

“The public, especially social media users and media practitioners, are reminded not to publish, share or disseminate any information that could reveal the identity of a child involved in a case, whether the child is a victim, witness or is involved, or suspected of being involved, in a criminal act,” JKM stated today.

The department stressed that leaking a minor’s private data compromises their structural safety, emotional well-being, personal dignity, and rehabilitation path, leading to permanent repercussions on their long-term developmental cycle.

To enforce this, JKM highlighted that safeguarding a minor’s identity is an explicit statutory obligation. Under Section 15 of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), the law strictly prohibits the publication or broadcasting of any name, address, educational institution, photograph, or descriptive detail that could lead to the direct identification of a child tied to any legal proceeding or investigation.

Violating this provision carries severe legal penalties. Individuals found guilty of exposing a minor’s identity face a maximum fine of RM10,000, a prison sentence of up to five years, or both upon conviction.

“In this regard, JKM urges all parties to cease disseminating content that may reveal the identity of children, respect their privacy by practising ethical and responsible use of social media, and provide the necessary space for the authorities to conduct investigations in accordance with the law,” the department added.

JKM reiterated its absolute commitment to guaranteeing that every child within Malaysia receives appropriate statutory safeguarding, anchoring all executive decisions on the global legal principle of the best interests of the child.

-NMT