Children under 16 years old can no longer open up social media accounts in Malaysia under a new law. The rule will come into effect on 1st June and is part of the government’s plans to make the internet a safer place for young people. But there are questions of privacy, enforcement, and the uses to which technology firms will put this new legislation.
New Rules for Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with a minimum of eight million users in Malaysia, will have to implement age-verification systems to comply with the new regulations. These systems aim to prevent users under 16 from creating new accounts.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it will introduce age verification for existing users over the next six months. The commission will give users identified as under 16 one month to download or transfer their data, including photos and videos, before applying restrictions. Companies that fail to follow the rules could face fines of up to RM10 million (about S$3.03 million).
Protecting Children Online
The government said the policy aims to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and platform features that encourage excessive use. Officials said the regulations do not aim to stop children from using digital technology. Instead, the rules require platforms to improve safety measures and take stronger action against harmful content and underage accounts.
Malaysia follows a trend of countries to act on children’s social media usage. Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia have already implemented or announced similar restrictions, and a number of other countries are considering restrictions.
Different Views on the Policy
The changes have had varying impacts on families in Malaysia. Some parents support the restrictions. They believe the rules can reduce exposure to harmful online content. They also say the limits encourage more face-to-face learning and family activities.
Some argue that the policy is too rigid and that it could be detrimental to valuable learning experiences.
Several parents said their children use the internet for educational purposes. They use online platforms to study and learn new skills.
Privacy concerns have also been raised about age-verification systems. Some critics worry these systems may require government ID documents. They fear technology companies could store large amounts of sensitive personal data.
Critics worry the law won’t work, as parents can still make accounts for their kids. Despite these concerns, the Malaysian government says the policy remains an important step toward creating a safer online environment for young users.
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