He said nearly every child today owns a smartphone and has access to social media, Sinar Harian reported.

“Many of them, often without their parents realising, are drawn to viewing sexually explicit or violent images and videos.

“These children then gather in groups, chatting while watching all sorts of content on social media, and they’re easily influenced. This is extremely dangerous,” he told reporters after an event in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, today.

He was commenting on the rise in number of rape and incest cases involving children in the state this year.

Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat previously said that 252 such cases were reported in 2024, a 22.3% increase from 206 cases in 2023. Investigations however revealed that many were cases of consensual sex.

Nik Abdul Kadir also expressed concern over the widespread habit of constantly looking at smartphones, even during prayers in mosques.

“Wherever we go, even in the mosque, people are glued to their phones.”

He said that proper education in schools, along with active parental supervision, could help to curb criminal behaviour.

“Parents who prioritise Islamic teachings can raise children who understand moral and religious boundaries,” he said.

Yesterday, Kelantan menteri besar Nassuruddin Daud said the state government had consistently played its part through educational programmes in mosques, suraus and schools.

However, he said the state government’s efforts to curb social crimes, especially rape and incest, would be ineffective if parents did not play their part in monitoring their children.