Malaysia eyes social media ban for under-16s, but experts urge holistic approach

Malaysia is considering a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, a move inspired by Australia's stricter digital safety regulations. This initiative aims to address serious concerns about minors' exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, scams, and other online threats.

Dr. Mastura Mahamed, a senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia, views the proposed ban as a crucial step in building a safer digital ecosystem for young people. She stresses that the restriction should not be seen merely as an access limitation but as an initial protective measure. However, Dr. Mastura cautions that a strict policy alone is not enough if its implementation remains reactive.

"Closing an account does not mean closing the risk," she explained. Children can easily migrate to parents' accounts, create fake profiles, or use less traceable platforms like chat groups, gaming sites, and messaging apps. Therefore, the age restriction must be complemented by proactive strategies focusing on digital literacy, assistance, and ongoing monitoring.

Generations are growing up immersed in technology, with a significant majority of Malaysian teens aged 12 to 17 actively using social media weekly for communication, learning, entertainment, and information. The success of any age-based restriction, therefore, hinges not just on enforcement but on a holistic approach that educates and empowers young users to navigate the online world safely.