Preparing Children for the Online World Through Education, Not Bans | KiddyNews

The Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) has raised concerns over the government’s proposal to prohibit social media access for children under 16 from 2026, cautioning that a blanket ban may undermine digital resilience rather than improve online safety.

While supporting efforts to protect minors from harmful online content, the organisation said effective child protection policies must be grounded in education, guidance, and evidence-based approaches, not outright prohibition.

Risk of Driving Children to Unregulated Online Spaces

CCC warned that restricting access could push teenagers towards anonymous platforms, unregulated websites, or circumvention tools, placing them beyond parental supervision and regulatory safeguards.

The group said such outcomes may increase exposure to online risks instead of reducing them, particularly as young users seek alternative digital spaces without adult guidance.

Research Shows Blanket Bans Offer Limited Protection

The organisation cited a growing body of academic research indicating that outright bans on adolescent social media use do not meaningfully improve mental health or online safety.

A 2024 study published in JMIR Mental Health found insufficient evidence to support blanket bans as an effective response to youth mental health concerns. The study concluded that adolescent wellbeing is more closely linked to emotional regulation, digital behaviour, and guidance rather than access alone.

Additional research from Associate Professor Jennifer Alford of Griffith University and the Australian Academy of the Humanities has similarly cautioned that age-based bans are blunt policy tools. These studies warn that restrictions may delay digital maturity, limit healthy online engagement, and reduce access to positive peer and social support networks.

Digital Maturity Built Through Guidance, Not Avoidance

CCC Malaysia country associate Tarmizi Anuwar said shielding young people from digital platforms does not equip them for adulthood in an increasingly connected society.

He noted that social media has become a key communication infrastructure where young people learn social boundaries, information discernment, and interpersonal skills.

“If the objective is safer and stronger young users, the evidence points away from prohibition and toward education. A ban teaches avoidance, not responsibility,” he said.

Education and Parental Involvement Seen as Stronger Safeguards

Instead of a universal ban, CCC urged policymakers to focus on strengthening digital education and media literacy in schools, increasing parental awareness and involvement, and supporting emotional resilience and critical thinking among young users.

The organisation said flexible, family-centred approaches that recognise differing maturity levels are more likely to produce digitally confident and responsible young Malaysians.

CCC stressed that long-term child online safety depends on building capability – not erecting barriers that young users may bypass.

Source:

Focus Malaysia  – “CCC: Banning social media for children won’t build digital resilience but education will”

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