Malaysia’s approach to restricting social media access for users under 16 highlights the need for platforms to take greater responsibility in ensuring a safer online environment, said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
MCMC Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Development) Eneng Faridah Iskandar said the restrictions were aimed at ensuring social media platforms take proactive measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children accessing online content.
She said platform providers, as the developers of social media products, must determine and provide safety features to ensure their services are safe for public use, Bernama reported.
“Any party providing a product for public use in the market must ensure that the product is safe and secure to use,” she said during CNA+ Talking Point titled Social Media Ban: Will It Work? on Thursday night.
Eneng said MCMC had evidence that children faced harm and were often victims of abuse arising from interactions on social media platforms, stressing that the issue was not unique to Malaysia but a global concern.
However, she said MCMC did not intend to punish social media platforms but wanted to work with providers to address those abusing social media to commit online crimes.
Since June 1, Malaysia has required social media platforms with at least eight million users, including Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube, to implement age verification systems and prevent users under 16 from opening accounts.
