MENGEKANG IMPAK NEGATIF SHARENTING: SATU KAJIAN TENTANG KETERLIBATAN AGENSI KERAJAAN DAN BADAN BUKAN KERAJAAN KETIKA PANDEMIK COVID-19 (Curbing the Negative Impact of Sharenting: A Study on the Involvement of Government Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations During the Covid-19 Pandemic)

Abstract

Perkataan sharenting pada asasnya ialah gabungan daripada dua perkataan bahasa Inggeris iaitu sharing dan parenting. Istilah sharenting merujuk kepada fenomena perkongsian foto dan video anak-anak serta maklumat pengenalan diri yang lain oleh ibu bapa pada akaun media sosial mereka sendiri. Penggunaan lazim media sosial sebagai platform untuk perkongsian yang kebiasaannya mempunyai perlindungan privasi yang sangat minimum, telah mewujudkan kebimbangan dalam masyarakat. Sepanjang tempoh Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP) yang dikuatkuasakan kerana penularan wabak COVID-19, penggunaan media sosial sebagai medium penyebaran maklumat dan perkongsian bukanlah sesuatu yang asing. Ia menjadi sebahagian daripada norma baharu kehidupan apabila pertemuan bersemuka menjadi sukar atau mustahil disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor. Ditambah pula dengan kewujudan pelbagai aplikasi yang kebanyakannya dapat diakses secara percuma melalui capaian Internet dan telefon pintar mudah alih. Percambahan perkongsian tentang kehidupan seharian termasuk aktiviti sharenting berlaku secara berleluasa tanpa sekatan. Di sebalik kesan positif daripada perkongsian ini, wujud implikasi negatif kepada fizikal, mental dan spiritual kanak-kanak. Bertunjangkan kepada mengawal impak negatif sharenting terhadap kanak-kanak, artikel ini memfokuskan peruntukan undang-undang sedia ada yang melindungi kanak-kanak di Malaysia selain mengenal pasti peranan agensi kerajaan dan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) di Malaysia dalam menangani isu sharenting. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah penyelidikan kualitatif bagi menghuraikan peranan agensi kerajaan dan NGO dalam membendung kesan buruk daripada perbuatan sharenting. Analisis data dibuat melalui kaedah penelitian terhadap beberapa dokumen statut utama seperti Akta Kanak-Kanak 2001; Akta Kesalahan-Kesalahan Seksual terhadap Kanak-kanak 2017; dan Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998 di samping hasil temu bual yang dijalankan dengan beberapa orang responden untuk menghalusi isu ini dengan lebih mendalam dan praktikal. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahawa mekanisme kawalan perlulah mengimbangi hak ibu bapa terhadap anak-anak tanpa meminggirkan hak anak-anak. Dalam keadaan konflik antara hak- hak tersebut, kebajikan anak-anak perlulah diberikan keutamaan. Oleh itu, kerjasama daripada pelbagai pihak termasuk agensi kerajaan dan NGO amat diperlukan kerana peranan yang dimainkan oleh setiap pihak adalah berbeza-beza demi mengurangkan impak negatif daripada perbuatan sharenting.

Abstract

Sharenting is a combination of sharing and parenting. The term ‘sharenting’ refers to the growing phenomenon of parents sharing photos and videos of their children, as well as other identifying information, on their own social media accounts. It is the habitual use of these platforms, which often have minimal privacy protection, causing concern in the community. Throughout the implementation of Movement Control Order (MCO) due to the spread of COVID-19, the use of social media as a medium of dissemination of information and sharing is not uncommon. It became part of the new norm of life when face-to-face encounters become difficult or impossible due to several factors, coupled with the existence of a variety of apps that are mostly accessible for free with the availability of Internet access and smartphones, the proliferation of sharing about everyday life including sharenting activities taking place without restrictions. Despite the positive effects of sharing, there are negative physical, mental and spiritual implications for children. Focusing on controlling the negative impacts of sharenting on children, this study focuses on the provisions of existing laws that protect children in Malaysia and identify the role of government agencies and NGOs in Malaysia in addressing this sharenting issue. Using qualitative research methods, this study describes the role of government and NGOs in curbing the adverse effects of these sharenting acts. Data were analysed using the content analysis method to several statutes such as the Child Act 2001, Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017 and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and findings from interviews with several respondents to further refine this issue. This article concludes that control mechanisms must be balanced between parental rights towards children without marginalizing children’s rights. In the event of a conflict between these rights, the welfare of children should be given priority. Therefore, the cooperation of various parties including government agencies and NGOs, is needed to mitigate the negative impact of the sharenting act by acknowledging the different roles played by each party.

Keywords: sharenting, laws, government agencies, NGOs, children’s rights.