The Australian government recently announced plans to ban social media use for teenagers under 16, sparking widespread debate. While some view this as a necessary step to protect young people from the dangers of the digital world, others see it as a drastic measure. The proposal has prompted discussions in Malaysia about the country’s own regulatory framework for social media, Bernama reports.
Dr Siti Zanariah Yusoff, a senior lecturer at UniSZA, emphasised the need for Malaysia to review its social media regulations. She highlighted the importance of setting an appropriate age limit, tailored to the nation’s cultural and social context. She also stressed the need for collaboration between the government, parents, and society to shield teenagers from harmful online influences such as cyberbullying, sexual grooming, and mental health issues like social anxiety and depression.
“There is a need to study the weaknesses in the existing system, as well as find ways to increase community awareness and support for this issue,” she told Bernama. “Setting an appropriate age limit also needs to be studied comprehensively, taking into account the cultural, social and economic context of Malaysia.“
Supporting the idea, Malaysian Cyber Consumers Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil pointed out the alarming rise in social media addiction among youth, with nine out of 10 children having accounts and spending an average of eight hours daily on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. He believes stricter controls could help mitigate these risks.
Other experts, such as Muhammad Azim Zaid of UiTM and Prof Dr Siti Aisha Tengku Azzman of IIUM, also support regulating social media use for teenagers. They cite benefits like reducing exposure to harmful content and encouraging healthier habits. However, they acknowledge potential downsides, such as social isolation and decreased digital literacy. Prof Siti Aisha warned that a complete ban might lead rebellious teens to bypass restrictions using tools like VPNs.
The experts agree on the need for a balanced approach, involving key stakeholders like the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and parents, to explore alternatives before considering a full ban. Prior to this, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil has already reminded parents to prevent children under 13 from using social media, in line with platform policies.
(Source: Bernama / Astro Awani)
