Quantitative analysis on awareness and perception of the Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA): A case study of law students at UiTM Sarawak
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/ji.v21i2.11584Keywords:
ONSA, Perceptions, Awareness, Legal awareness, Online safety actAbstract
This study examines the awareness and perceptions of the Online Safety Act (ONSA) among 315 students at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak Branch. Using a quantitative survey analysed with descriptive statistics and independent t-tests, the research reveals a moderate level of legal awareness and a high level of positive perception toward the Act. Data analysis indicates that female students have significantly higher awareness than male students, though awareness remains consistent across educational levels. Conversely, while perceptions do not vary by gender, degree students hold significantly stronger perceptions than diploma students. A key finding identifies educators as the primary source of information, emphasizing their vital role in legal literacy. Despite widespread exposure to harmful experiences, a gap persists between students’ supportive attitudes and their substantive legal understanding. These results offer valuable insights for policymakers and academic institutions to refine online safety initiatives through targeted curriculum integration and demographic-specific outreach.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Juliza Salleh, Ikhwan Naguib Jusoh, W Fatimah Hanun Wan Mohamad Saferdin, Nurul Aqmal Roslan, Siti Mahanisayu Marhaban
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