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SHAH ALAM - A child’s access to social media isn't determined by politicians or regulators. It is fundamentally determined by parents or guardians, who are the ones providing the devices and internet connection that enable them to go online.
While regulators and the government contribute to online safety, Content Forum chief executive officer Mediha Mahmood stressed that the primary responsibility to guide and monitor children still lies at home.
She emphasised that parental oversight remains crucial in the digital age as children’s ability to access social platforms ultimately depends on the tools and connectivity given to them by their parents.
“Children cannot independently purchase gadgets or pay for internet access, meaning parents decide whether to hand over the devices freely or implement a more guided approach.
“This includes setting safety features, monitoring app downloads and knowing who their children interact with online. Parenting in the digital age is undoubtedly complex but the responsibility remains at home.
“While regulators and the government have roles to play, parents continue to be the most important influence in keeping children safe online,” she told Sinar Daily.
The main issue is not the internet itself, Mediha said but the unrestricted and unsupervised access many underage children currently have.
She said the main concern lies in the lack of supervision as the risks children face online are comparable to real-world dangers such as crossing busy streets, interacting with strangers or encountering bullying at school.
“Just as we equip children with knowledge, awareness and resilience to navigate daily life safely, the same principles should apply online. Removing children entirely from digital spaces does not prepare them for the realities of the modern world.
“Instead of relying solely on bans or regulations, the government should emphasise advocacy, education and digital literacy to empower children to handle the challenges they will inevitably encounter online.
“The key lesson is that innovation should not be halted but it must be accompanied by robust safeguards, alongside stronger digital, artificial intelligence and social media literacy and resilience for both parents and children to navigate these technologies responsibly,” she said.
The proposed policy, she said, was part of a broader global trend and reflects rising awareness of social media risks while offering a chance for collaboration between platforms, regulators, parents and the government.
“In my work with parents and guardians, I have seen their genuine concerns about the effects of social media on children, especially when many kids have already been given substantial online freedom.
“This context makes some form of intervention understandable, offering an opportunity for platforms, regulators, the government and parents to collaborate on establishing a baseline standard of protection,"he said. Mediha said while details of Malaysia’s implementation remain unclear, other countries have adopted flexible measures. In some places, she said, such restrictions are set as defaults but can be lifted by parents if they believe their child is mature enough or can be properly supervised. Whether Malaysia will adopt a similar approach is still yet to be determined.
Malaysia joins a surging global trend to shield minors online, as countries worldwide enforce stricter age limits for social media access.
Leading the charge in the Asia-Pacific, Australia has already enacted a law banning under-16s from major platforms (like TikTok and Facebook) starting December 2025, backed by steep fines for non-compliant companies.
Europe has been equally aggressive as Spain restricts under-16 access, having raised data protection consent to 16 in 2024. This push has spread to France and Greece collaborating to impose under-15 bans or mandatory age verification.
Across Scandinavia, the approach has been similar: Norway has moving to raise the minimum social media consent age from 13 to 15, and Denmark proposes a ban for children under 15, though it allows exceptions for parental consent at 13 or 14.