The Malaysian government, through the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is pushing forward with electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification to legally enforce a ban on social media accounts for children under 16.
Under the proposed framework, children below the age of 16 will not be permitted to hold or create social media accounts independently. Instead, accounts may be created by parents and used under the parent’s supervision, allowing children to upload and view content on these parent-managed accounts.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the key issue is ensuring that parental control can be effectively enforced.
“In cases where accounts are created by parents and remain under their supervision, children may still use them to upload or view content. The key issue is ensuring that parental control can be effectively enforced,” he said.
The government’s decision comes after a case in Sabah where a man was sentenced to imprisonment and caning for an offence against a 15-year-old girl. Investigations found that the initial contact between the offender and the victim occurred via TikTok, a platform that already prohibits users under 16.
This case, according to the government, proves that platform self-regulation is insufficient when it comes to protecting children from sexual predators, necessitating state-level enforcement.
“As such, the government’s priority is to safeguard children’s welfare and the institution of the family,” Fahmi said.
Social media platforms operating in Malaysia will be required to integrate MCMC-approved eKYC systems. Enforcement shifts from platform terms of service to federal regulation, with parents designated as the primary gatekeepers legally responsible for their children’s accounts and online activity. The policy explicitly aims to reduce the risk of children interacting with unknown adults online.
Source: Malay Mail
