Through the Lens of Children in Sabah and Johor: A Child Friendly Report
The Principle of the Best Interests of the Child in the Digital Environment
About
In 2025, 29 children from Sabah and Johor - including Deaf youth, stateless children, and kids from urban-poor communities were asked one big question: what would make the internet work for you?
Their answers were clear.
The internet isn't just a treat - it's how they do homework, stay connected with family, and explore the world, especially when parks and libraries aren't an option. But they also shared what lets them down: feeling unsafe, not being heard, and being left to deal with online harms on their own.
Malaysia's consultation was part of a global study by UNICEF Innocenti, where over 200 children across 7 countries said the same thing - the internet needs to be built with kids, not just for them.
Their voices are now in the hands of governments and tech companies worldwide. This is what happens when you ask children what they need and actually listen.
This project is a joint effort between Monsters Among Us (MAU), UNICEF Malaysia and UNICEF Innocenti.
