Malaysia’s Online Safety Push Reflects Frustration with Social Media Giants | KiddyNews

Malaysia is moving closer to restricting social media access for children under 16 under provisions linked to the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025, as growing evidence connects excessive social media use to worsening mental health among young people.

The move places Malaysia among a growing list of countries attempting to regulate children’s access to digital platforms. Australia was the first nation to introduce a nationwide ban for under-16s, while countries including Indonesia, France, the United Kingdom, Türkiye and Thailand are exploring or implementing similar restrictions.

For many policymakers, the push reflects mounting frustration with social media companies that critics say acted too slowly to protect children from harmful content, addictive algorithms and online predators.

Experts Say Platforms Prioritised Growth Over Child Safety

Technology companies are increasingly facing global scrutiny over how their platforms affect children and teenagers.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, was recently fined US$375 million in New Mexico after being found liable for failing to protect underage users from sexual predators adequately. The company is also facing thousands of lawsuits in the United States linked to allegations surrounding social media addiction.

Experts say such actions reveal a wider pattern within the tech industry.

Harris Zainul, director of the Centre for Responsible Technology and director of research at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, described recent safety measures introduced by platforms as “too little too late”.

He noted that several features aimed at protecting teenagers were only rolled out globally in 2025, despite reports that companies had long been aware of the harmful effects their platforms could have on young users.

“Internal documents reportedly showed that engagement and growth metrics were prioritised over child safety,” he said.

Critics argue that many platform designs, including endless scrolling, algorithm-driven recommendations and constant notifications, were intentionally built to maximise user attention and advertising revenue.

Malaysian Youth Already Showing Signs of Harm

Concerns over social media addiction are also growing in Malaysia.

A 2024 study published in the Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine found that 73.71 per cent of university students surveyed in Selangor showed signs of social media addiction. The same study reported high levels of stress and loneliness among respondents.

Mental health experts warn that prolonged exposure to social media can contribute to anxiety, low self-esteem, depression and social isolation, particularly among adolescents whose emotional regulation is still developing.

“The idea behind prohibiting children from having a social media account before turning 16 is to either prevent or delay these consequences until their brains are further developed,” Harris explained.

Concerns Over Whether Bans Alone Will Work

While many agree stronger safeguards are necessary, not all organisations support blanket age-based restrictions.

Unicef and several civil society organisations have warned that outright bans may unintentionally drive teenagers toward less-regulated corners of the internet, while also limiting opportunities for learning, communication and social connection.

Some advocacy groups have also expressed concern over proposed age-verification systems using electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) technology, warning of potential privacy risks, data leaks and surveillance concerns.

Others argue that governments should focus more heavily on improving digital literacy, mental health support and online safety education rather than relying solely on restrictions.

There are also questions about enforcement.

In Australia, a survey conducted two months after its under-16 social media ban found that 73 per cent of teenagers were still able to access social media platforms despite the restrictions.

Criminologist and Universiti Malaya senior lecturer Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said many young people are technologically savvy enough to find alternative ways online.

“Our Gen Alpha is growing up with AI tools and advanced technology,” she said. “If they cannot access one platform, they may simply find another method.”

Pressure Builds for Stronger Accountability

Despite differing views on bans, many experts agree that social media companies themselves must bear greater responsibility for online harms affecting children.

Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have introduced parental controls, private default settings, nudity filters and daily screen-time reminders for younger users. Meta recently announced additional protections for teenagers in Malaysia, including restrictions on sensitive content and enhanced safety features.

However, critics argue these measures arrived only after years of public pressure and legal action.

Under ONSA, social media platforms operating in Malaysia could face civil penalties of up to RM10 million for failing to comply with safety requirements.

As governments worldwide move toward stricter regulation, experts say the debate is no longer about whether online harms exist, but whether technology companies acted quickly enough to prevent them.

Source:

Malay Mail  – “‘Too little, too late’: Why experts say social media giants are failing to protect Malaysian youth”

Thoughtfully adapted by KiddyNews. Keeping parents and educators informed with the latest ECCE developments from Malaysia and beyond