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Designing and evaluating a culturally grounded digital parenting initiative in Malaysia

Mohamed, Shafizan and Janon, Nazariah Shar'ie and Yusoh, Mohd Helmi and Salleh, Norsaremah and Mohd Nasir, Nur Shakira and Wan Mohd Ghazali, Wan Norshira (2025) Designing and evaluating a culturally grounded digital parenting initiative in Malaysia. Intellectual Discourse, 33 (3). pp. 993-1015. ISSN 0128-4878 E-ISSN 2289-5639

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Abstract

The widespread adoption of digital technologies in Malaysia, with internet penetration reaching 97.4% in 2023, has profoundly redefined childhood experiences. While digital parenting principles are globally recognised, their application in Malaysia is shaped by socio-cultural diversity, religious beliefs, and economic inequalities, and existing parenting resources often lack sustained, culturally competent guidance. This study employed a mixed-methods design, combining a nationwide market validation survey of Malaysian parents (n = 240) with focus group discussions involving participants from diverse backgrounds, to examine challenges, preferences, and expectations in digital parenting. Findings reveal that parents struggle with screen time regulation, online risk management, and awareness of harmful content, issues further compounded by disparities in digital literacy. Parents expressed strong demand for short-form, visually engaging, and interactive content, alongside features such as expert-led Q&A, age-specific content filtering, and peer-sharing narratives, while also emphasising the importance of moral and faith-based guidance embedded in Islamic and cultural values. Evaluation of the Platform Keibubapaan Digital (Platform KID) prototype highlighted the need for greater interactivity, community engagement, and personalisation. By synthesising global best practices with local cultural contexts, the study informs the development of Platform KID as a model for empowering Malaysian parents with the skills, confidence, and ethical frameworks to raise digitally resilient children, with implications that extend beyond Malaysia to other Muslim-majority and multicultural societies

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Cultural, Digital parenting, Digital literacy, Malaysia, Parental mediation
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H61.8 Communication of information
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) > H93 Popular works
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ503 The family. Marriage. Home
L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education
T Technology > T Technology (General) > T10.5 Communication of technical information
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Communication
Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology
Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology
Depositing User: Dr Shafizan Mohamed
Date Deposited: 31 Oct 2025 11:43
Last Modified: 31 Oct 2025 11:43
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/123999

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