Source : Pelita Brunei ( Translation MCYS)
News: Nooratini Haji Abas - Information
Photo: Alishahrin Haji Mumin - Information
JERUDONG, Saturday, 22 November – The Voices of Children Forum and Workshop themed “Connect and Protect" continued in the afternoon with a workshop session held at Rumah Al-Hamasah, Jerudong Sports Complex.
The workshop was facilitated by Dayang Nur Syamimi binti Suhaimi, Manager of Broadcasting and Content Regulation at AITI, who served as the lead facilitator, supported by five experts guiding student discussions. Among the invited facilitators were Dayang Nur Amalizaan binti Haji Jamal, Social Worker from JAPEM; Inspector Muhammad Zulfadli bin Haji M Suhaili, Investigating Officer from the Women and Children Abuse Investigation Unit, Criminal Investigation Department; Pengiran Muhammad Farid Zulhusni bin Pengiran Aziz, Chief Trainer for Cybersecurity Awareness, Cybersecurity Brunei; Dato Paduka Haji Omar bin Haji Khalid, Brunei Darussalam Commissioner to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) for Children's Affairs; and Dayang Zahratul'Azimah binti Haslin, Associate Health Officer (Psychology) from the Community Psychology Division, Ministry of Health.
The workshop was divided into four groups, each addressing specific themes. The first group, Protection Against All Forms of Bullying, expressed a strong desire for a future where bullying is significantly reduced. They envisioned children becoming more aware, open-minded, and equipped with healthier perspectives on the harmful effects of bullying. Their recommendations included broad awareness campaigns, school-based programs, fostering simple daily positive habits to nurture empathy and respect, and enforcing clearer guidelines such as screen-time limits to create safer online and offline environments.
The second group, Balancing Digital Life & Mental Health, emphasized the importance of raising widespread awareness about balancing digital habits with mental well-being. Their aim was to positively influence the majority of young people and encourage healthier online behavior. They suggested building strong partnerships with the private sector, organizing regular school talks, and implementing government-led campaigns to equip children with the knowledge and support needed to maintain good mental health in an increasingly digital world.
The third group, AI, Children's Rights & Online Safety, highlighted the need for children to distinguish between authentic content and AI-generated material, to understand both the benefits and risks of AI tools, and to remain vigilant about online safety. Their proposals included appointing Youth Ambassadors to champion online safety, creating interactive activities that teach responsible technology use, and promoting deeper research and learning about technological capabilities and their future impact on younger generations.
The fourth group, Shared Responsibility for Child Safety & Protection, envisioned a society where children's feedback is genuinely heard and used to shape future initiatives, cyber threats are reduced, and young people feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to community safety. They stressed the importance of voicing concerns, supporting one another, and staying informed about risks, challenges, and impacts related to child safety and protection.
The workshop concluded with presentations from the four groups, followed by the presentation of souvenirs by the Guest of Honour, Dayang Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, Permanent Secretary (Community).
