Social media ban necessary but not a cure-all, says Chang Lih Kang

MALAYSIA'S move to restrict children’s access to social media is part of a broader strategy to prepare youth for an AI-driven future, not a standalone fix for online harm, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

Amid intensifying debate over the government’s proposed social media ban for children under 16, Chang stressed that while restrictions are necessary, prohibition alone would not address deeper issues such as digital literacy, addiction, and technological readiness.

“I believe there is a need for this measure, but banning alone will not solve all the problems,” he said when met recently at the Epicentre MRANTI building.

His remarks come amid growing concern that Malaysia risks sending mixed signals — accelerating AI education and digital transformation on one hand, while limiting access to platforms that dominate young people’s digital lives on the other.

Chang rejected the idea that the policy represents a contradiction.

“When we talk about a social media ban, children do not use social media to learn artificial intelligence. There are many other ways and methods to learn AI,” he said.

Sinar Daily’s recent coverage has highlighted the delicate balance between protection and preparedness, with experts cautioning that blanket bans can give a false sense of security while leaving children unprepared for the realities of the digital world.

Education Ministry officials have defended controlled access to social media as a means of temporarily reducing exposure while schools focus on building digital ethics, critical thinking and AI literacy.

However, analysts and youth advocates have cautioned that excessive reliance on restrictions could produce students who are technically skilled but digitally vulnerable.

Acknowledging these concerns, Chang said excessive social media use has become increasingly addictive and disruptive.

“This is affecting normal life and students’ learning capabilities,” he said, noting that Malaysia is not alone in considering age-based restrictions. He pointed to similar measures in countries such as Australia, Spain and France.

However, Chang emphasised that the government’s responsibility does not end with blocking access.

“We need to come up with a comprehensive package and incentives. It should be a carrot-and-stick approach, not just the stick. Our approach must be more holistic,” he said.

His position aligns with growing calls for a layered strategy to online safety that combines regulation, platform accountability, education and parental involvement.

Chang said any restriction on social media must be accompanied by structured efforts to guide children toward productive uses of technology, including exposure to AI, coding and digital problem-solving skills in safer, supervised environments.

“The goal is not to keep children away from technology. It is to help them learn how to use it responsibly,” he said.

Malaysia is moving to restrict social media access for children under 16 and to tighten content controls for users below 18 through subsidiary legislation under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866), following rising concern over harmful and addictive online content.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is drafting 10 subsidiary regulations that will require platforms to block underage users, ensure age-appropriate content for teenagers, and provide effective parental control tools.

Under the framework, service providers will also be required to submit online safety plans and comply with licensing requirements under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, making them accountable not only for content moderation but also for algorithmic risks.

The Online Safety Act, gazetted on May 22 last year, came into force on Jan 1, with enforcement of the minimum age limit expected to begin as early as July.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the policy is currently in a regulatory sandbox phase, with discussions ongoing with platform providers on age-verification mechanisms, including digital identity checks, targeted for full implementation by the second quarter of 2026.

While regulations are advancing, critics have warned that bans alone may push young users into unsupervised digital spaces, creating the illusion of safety without reducing real risk — a concern Chang appeared to acknowledge.

His call for incentives, education, and a holistic policy package signals recognition that Malaysia’s digital challenge is not simply about access, but about capability.