PENAMPANG: Parents play an important role in ensuring their children, especially teenagers, do not become entangled in ‘mule account’ syndicates and face legal consequences.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said parents must raise awareness and warn their children not to be easily deceived by unscrupulous individuals seeking access to — or use of — their bank accounts for fraudulent purposes.
He said allowing others to use one’s account can expose the account holder to legal action if the account is linked to fraud or other illegal transactions.
“This is a matter that we must pay attention to. We need to remind ourselves, parents and children, particularly adolescents, not to be easily misled or to permit others to use their accounts.”
“Digital usage is now part of our daily lives. Therefore, besides benefiting from technology, we must also understand the risks and threats that come with it,” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of the Digital Parenthood Programme (Series IV) for the Kapayan state constituency, organised by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), here today.
Ewon, who is also the Member of Parliament for Penampang, said digital technology has changed how people carry out many affairs, including financial transactions, business and applications for government assistance.
He noted that QR-code payments are now increasingly widespread, even among market traders, showing that digital transactions are no longer unfamiliar to the public.
“This has become a necessity. Many transactions today are carried out digitally and we must have the knowledge and skills to use them well.”
“The same applies to various entrepreneurship grants available nationwide. Many grant applications for entrepreneurs, associations and cooperatives, including those provided by the Federal Government, are now made online.”
“So do not be left behind, as almost all of us have a smartphone and can use it to obtain information and apply online,” he said.
However, he added, digital technology use must be balanced so that the public, especially young people, do not become overly absorbed in their smartphones to the detriment of their responsibilities and other important aspects of life.
Ewon welcomed parents’ participation in the Digital Parenthood Programme, which included three talks organised by LPPKN.
He hoped the programme would increase parents’ knowledge in guiding their children to use digital technology safely, responsibly and ethically.
“I will continue to support parenting initiatives like this, which not only benefit the community but also serve as a reminder to me personally of my responsibilities as a father,” he said.-pr/BNN
