Social Media Ban for Children Must Be Backed by Strong Enforcement | KiddyNews

Malaysia’s new ban on social media accounts for children under 16 has been welcomed as an important step towards protecting young people online, but experts say its success will depend on how effectively the rules are enforced.

The restriction, which came into effect on June 1 under the Online Safety Act 2025 and the Child Protection Code, requires major social media platforms to verify users’ ages and prevent those under 16 from opening accounts.

Platforms with at least eight million Malaysian users, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, must implement age verification measures or face penalties of up to RM10 million, with repeat violations potentially resulting in suspension.

Growing Concerns Over Children’s Digital Wellbeing

Kathirgugan, a former Silicon Valley food robotics pioneer, said the move reflects growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and wellbeing.

He cited international research indicating that excessive social media use among adolescents has been linked to higher risks of anxiety, depression and negative body image perceptions.

According to data referenced in his commentary, a large proportion of teenagers spend several hours each day on social media platforms, while many report feeling worse about themselves after using them.

Malaysian Children Face Online Risks

Kathirgugan also pointed to findings showing that internet use is deeply embedded in the lives of Malaysian children and teenagers.

A UNICEF study found that 91% of Malaysian children aged 13 to 17 use the internet daily, while 70% have encountered disturbing online content. More than 40% said they would not seek help if they experienced problems online.

Cyberbullying remains a significant concern, with approximately three in ten young Malaysians reporting that they have been targeted.

The Malaysian Mental Health Association has also reported that cyberbullying was linked to at least 20% of youth suicide cases in recent years.

Lessons from Overseas

While supporting the policy’s intent, Kathirgugan said implementation challenges remain.

He highlighted Australia’s experience as the first country to introduce a nationwide under-16 social media ban, noting that while millions of accounts were successfully removed, some children were still able to bypass age verification systems.

Concerns were also raised about the collection and storage of personal data during the verification process.

Calls for Stronger Protection Measures

To strengthen the policy, Kathirgugan proposed an independent age-verification system that confirms a user’s age without sharing personal identification details with social media companies.

He also called for transparent compliance audits to measure how effectively platforms prevent underage access, rather than simply assessing whether verification systems are in place.

In addition, he suggested that penalties collected from non-compliant platforms could be channelled into digital literacy programmes and community-based activities such as sports, clubs and libraries to provide children with meaningful alternatives to excessive screen time.

Beyond Legislation

Kathirgugan said the introduction of the new rules demonstrates Malaysia’s willingness to take action on an issue affecting children’s well-being.

However, he stressed that passing legislation is only the beginning. Long-term success, he said, will depend on consistent enforcement, effective safeguards and continued efforts to create healthier environments for children both online and offline.

Source:

Free Malaysia Today – “Malaysia just took a bold step for its children. Now to do it well”

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