Join young superheroes Rua and Inggit on an exciting journey through the digital world, where they learn to navigate the internet safely and responsibly. From online privacy and digital citizenship to cyberbullying, scams and data protection, they tackle all the important issues along the way!
The Society of Online Superheroes (S.O.S.): A Super Smart Guide to Internet Safety is a children’s picture book created to empower families in today’s digital world. Aimed at children aged 3 to 9, as well as their parents or guardians, it has been brought to life by makchic’s CEO Liyana Taff and Managing Editor, Kimberly Lee, and illustrated by Delia Razak.
makchic had the privilege of working together with CyberSecurity Malaysia (the national cybersecurity agency under the Ministry of Digital Malaysia) in outlining the lessons explored in the book on how to stay safe online.
Malaysians rally behind online safety book for kids
The book’s initial print run was funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign, which raised over RM14,000 — a clear sign of strong public demand for accessible, local resources on digital safety.
Support from the book’s main sponsor, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), a key advocate of online safety, helped bring the project to life. Corporate sponsors, including F-Secure, FSBM Holdings Berhad, HMH Group, and Serai Group, also chipped in — showing how seriously the community takes digital safety for kids.
Behind the scenes with the book’s creators
How did the idea for The Society of Online Superheroes (S.O.S.) first take shape?
Liyana: The idea really came from a mix of professional concern and personal experience. As a parenting platform, makchic has covered stories about the risks children face online, from cyberbullying to online grooming, but it really hit home when we looked at our own kids. They’re growing up with screens all around them, often before they can even read properly.
We also couldn’t ignore the statistics, like UNICEF’s Disrupting Harm report, which estimated 100,000 Malaysian children aged 12 to 17 have been exposed to online sexual exploitation and abuse, often through popular platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Telegram, showing just how vulnerable Malaysian children are to online exploitation.
Why use superhero adventures to teach internet safety?
Kimberly: From the Avengers to the Powerpuff Girls, kids have always been drawn to the concept of superheroes, extraordinary powers and good triumphing over evil. The Internet is such a vast new world for most young online explorers, and framing this huge topic in the context of a super-powered adventure (one that’s rooted in ensuring safety, defeating the “bad guys” and saving the day) allowed us to explore the power and pitfalls of the Internet in a child-friendly, accessible manner.
If families take away just one thing from this book, what do you hope it is?
Kimberly: Our hope is that the entire family will develop healthier habits when it comes to navigating the online world – whether it’s setting up a family digital safety plan together, identifying safe and unsafe behaviour, familiarising themselves with relevant reporting mechanisms and responsible bodies, or just learning to unplug and unwind together as a family in the ‘offline’ world as well.
Our Discussion Guide at the back of the book is meant to serve as a helpful tool for parents, guardians and educators to increase their understanding of this topic and to expand the discussion at home with their kids.
Bringing the digital world to life
The characters in this book were created in makchic’s first picture book, What if? How was the illustration process different this time around?
Delia: It’s honestly been the same from the start; easy, fun, and collaborative! The process is definitely quicker this time around, especially since the characters from the first book are already established. It’s exciting to carry them into a new series, and I’m looking forward to creating even more stories with them in the future.
What were some of your favourite pages or particular scenes to illustrate?
Delia: Pages 7 and 8! They’re full of vibrant colours and little details. I love how we’re introducing the internet in an abstract, playful way. It’s also the page where all the characters from the first book come together. Even the monkey [from our first book] makes a surprise appearance!
What people are saying about The Society of Online Superheroes (S.O.S)
Datin PH Wong, Executive Director of Childline Foundation:
The Society of Online Superheroes (S.O.S.) is a vibrant and timely resource that helps families start important conversations about online safety. As someone involved in child protection through initiatives like the Internet Watch Foundation Reporting Portal for Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) in Malaysia, I truly value how this book introduces key topics such as privacy, cyberbullying, and digital scams in a way that young children can understand and relate to.
The colourful illustrations are beautifully done and filled with familiar Malaysian elements, making the story even more engaging for local readers. The discussion guide included in the book also offers parents and educators a practical way to reinforce digital safety habits with children. This book is an excellent tool for building awareness and resilience in our young digital citizens.
Mel Schmitz, Developmental Psychologist & Author:
As a parent, watching our little ones take their first steps into the ubiquitous digital world can feel both overwhelming and terrifying. “The Society of Online Superheroes” feels like having a wise friend by your side through this journey. The book’s gorgeous illustrations don’t just complement the story—they are the story, speaking directly to children in a language they understand instinctively. But what truly makes this book special is how it brings families together.
The thoughtful discussion guide and creative activities at the end turn what could be awkward safety lectures into natural, warm conversations- a necessary and critical element to raising kids in these times. This isn’t just a book about internet safety; it’s about building trust and understanding between parents and children in our beautifully complicated digital age.
The Society of Online Superheroes (S.O.S.) is now available online at The Nurts and Biblio Paper Boy. This hard cover book is suitable for children between the ages of 3 to 9 and retails at RM49. For more information, visit: www.makchic.com/sosbook.
This marks makchic’s third published book, following our popular 2021 release, What if? and its Bahasa Malaysia translation, Bayangkanlah, which introduced young children to topics like consent, personal safety and body boundaries.
Photo Credit: Stories Lifestyle
