Former Beauty Queen Jane Teoh launches cyberbullying awareness campaign

In a bid to combat the increasing scourge of cyberbullying, Jane Teoh, a former Miss Universe Malaysia 2018, has launched the Anti-Cyberbullying Campaign #DareToShout. The campaign, initiated yesterday, aims to raise awareness about online misconduct and encourage positive use of the internet. Teoh, now a 27-year-old social media personality and influencer, is no stranger to the issue, having championed it during her time in the Miss Universe Malaysia pageant.

“This campaign is aimed at promoting anti-cyberbullying. I raised this issue when I participated in Miss Universe Malaysia 2018. So this campaign allows me to continue the effort,” said Teoh. Her initiative is deeply personal, as she first encountered cyberbullying after being crowned Miss Universe Malaysia in January 2018.

Despite the challenges, she took the right actions to prevent it from affecting her and now emphasizes the importance of self-worth and not seeking validation from the virtual world. Through #DareToShout, Teoh hopes to empower victims to speak out and seek help.

Grassroots Movement: Reaching Out to Youth

The campaign’s launch was marked by an event at SM Stella Maris, where Teoh spoke to over 200 students about anti-cyberbullying, youth empowerment, and women’s empowerment. “It is an issue that is very relevant to students today since social media is part of our lifestyle, and they need to know their responsibilities as users,” Teoh remarked during her talk. She believes that education and awareness are key to tackling cyberbullying and has plans to extend the campaign to schools and universities nationwide.

Teoh is also calling on fellow social media influencers to join her cause. “I have invited a few and plan to involve more influencers such as TikTokers and YouTubers who are popular among children,” she said.

By leveraging the reach and influence of these personalities, Teoh hopes to create a ripple effect, spreading the message of responsible internet use and the dangers of cyberbullying to a broader audience. She also suggested that programmes addressing online misconduct should be included in school syllabi to better educate students from a young age.

Inspiring a Culture of Respect

Last Friday, the Malaysian Cabinet agreed to establish a special committee to address cyberbullying in the country. This decision came in the wake of the tragic death of Rajeswary Appahu, a 30-year-old activist and social media influencer known as Esha, who allegedly died by suicide due to cyberbullying.

Teoh hopes that her campaign will complement governmental efforts by fostering a culture of empathy and respect online. Her #DareToShout campaign promises to be a beacon of hope for those affected by cyberbullying and a call to action for the online community to create a safer, kinder digital world.