By Dr Rahim Said
When a six-year-old boy in Batu Pahat was found with severe neck injuries, allegedly attacked by his nine-year-old brother in what police believe may have been influenced by an online game, Malaysia collectively froze.
How could something meant for play turn into something so dark, so violent, and so heartbreakingly real?
This tragic case is not just a police matter — it is a mirror held up to every parent in this digital age.
The Silent Babysitter in Every Home
For many families, online games have quietly become digital babysitters. After all, when a child is busy with a phone or tablet, they’re quiet, occupied, and seemingly safe. Parents get a moment of peace; the house is calm. But behind that calm screen can lurk a different kind of danger — one that doesn’t shout or knock, but creeps slowly into a child’s imagination and behaviour.
The popular game Roblox, for instance, looks innocent enough. It’s colourful, creative, and social. But it also hosts countless user-created worlds — some filled with violence, fear, and distorted ideas of reality.
Children enter these spaces without understanding the difference between make-believe and morality, between loss of points and loss of life.
The Unseen Damage of “Just Playing”
We often shrug and say, “He’s just playing a game.” But the truth is, games today are not what they used to be. They are designed to hold attention, reward aggression, and fuel competition. For a young mind still learning empathy and impulse control, this can be dangerous.
When a child loses in a game, it’s not just about points — it can feel like a personal failure. When that frustration repeats day after day, without any adult to guide or explain, it festers. Children begin to see anger as action, retaliation as normal. And if that game is filled with violent acts, the boundary between imagination and behaviour blurs.
The Role of Parents — More Important Than Ever
The Batu Pahat case should never be dismissed as a one-off tragedy. It’s a reminder that technology, for all its wonders, still needs boundaries. As parents, we must step back into the role of supervisor, guide, and guardian — not just provider.
Here are a few simple but essential steps:
• Know what they’re playing. Sit beside your children occasionally and watch. Ask questions. Many parents are shocked to learn what kind of content hides behind innocent titles.
• Set limits. Unsupervised gaming hours late into the night can lead to fatigue, irritability, and emotional instability. Make screens switch off at least an hour before bedtime.
• Encourage conversation. Ask your child what they liked or didn’t like in a game. Talk about right and wrong, make-believe and reality. Listening is the first step to guiding.
• Model good behaviour. Children watch more than they listen. If we ourselves are glued to our screens, we teach them that disconnection is normal.
Rebuilding the Human Connection
No technology — no matter how advanced — can replace a parent’s voice, presence, and love. Games can teach creativity and problem-solving, yes, but they should never replace real-world relationships.
Children don’t just need devices. They need direction. They don’t just crave entertainment. They crave engagement.
As the six-year-old in Batu Pahat recovers, let this story be a turning point — not only for one family, but for all of us.
Let it remind us that behind every game, there is a growing child — and behind every growing child, there must be a watchful, caring parent.
Because when parents step back, screens step in. And when that happens, play can turn into peril before anyone realises it.