23/12/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | DEC 23, 2025

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Social media age limit o Digital protection that encompasses necessity, liberty

I N the limitles digital age of today, social media platforms such as TikTok, X, YouTube and WhatsApp are no longer unfamiliar territory for teenagers and children. These platforms have become their preferred spaces for play and entertainment, social interaction, information-seeking and learning. It is not an exaggeration to say that many of them are “growing up” fast in the virtual world than in real life. Children as young as four, for instance, are already exposed to global narratives and are able to express emotions by saying “poor” Palestine, describing Israel as “bad”, or even recognising who Donald Trump is – all learnt through social media. Yet behind the many benefits lies a dense web of risks that are not always visible to the naked eye. The rise in cybercrime involving children – including online sexual harassment, paedophilia, digital exploitation, cyberbullying, the spread of pornographic material and social media addiction – has become a concern that is growing. These are among the unintended consequences of unregulated social media use, carried out without adequate guidance, supervision or protection. More worrying still, such exposure has been linked to serious criminal behaviour among school students, including rape and murder cases. As such, this results in the issue no longer being viewed as the responsibility of parents alone, but instead as something that demands a more comprehensive national protection framework and direct government intervention. An urgent need? The government’s recent proposal to set a minimum age of 16 for social media use has drawn widespread public attention, prompting debate from multiple angles – responsibility, safety, present realities and the future of the younger generation. On Dec 6, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil reiterated the need to enforce a minimum age limit of 16 for social media usage, aimed at protecting children and adolescents from THIS year-end school holiday season, Petrosains together with Petronas Twin Towers Sky Xperience invites families, students and tourists to celebrate the wonders that make Malaysia extraordinary through the festive programme, “Where Malaysia’s Wonders Come Together”. Running throughout the holidays, this immersive experience brings together science, culture and creativity. At Petrosains, young explorers and their families can dive into hands-on science and interactive adventures. The ”Night at Petrosains” returns with three sessions, offering a magical after-hours experience where visitors can explore exhibits in a whole new light. At Thinking Spot! Edu-to-Cart: Unboxing with Xplorasi, kids can combine exploration with take-home activities, extending the excitement beyond the visit. Workshops and interactive quiz sessions are sprinkled throughout the programme to help every young mind to spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving and

she added.

Legal and rights challenges Sharing his perspective, legal practitioner Muhammad Hafiz Hood said the implementation of a 16-year minimum age for social media use requires careful scrutiny to avoid legal complications, including issues related to child protection laws, privacy and data protection. “The key question is how age verification will be implemented. If it involves collecting sensitive data such as identity card numbers or biometric information, there is concern over potential data breaches and misuse, given that these details would be part of the registration process,” he said. According to Muhammad Hafiz, any age verification mechanism must comply with the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, which emphasises transparency, purpose limitation and data security. “We welcome the intention to protect kids and adolescents, but at the same time we must ensure that this objective does not inadvertently open the door to data exploitation by those who work in cybersecurity, yet lack personal integrity. There is also the issue of legal liability in cases of violations, where should a kid under 16 use social media unlawfully, who is to be held responsible – the parents, the platform, or the child as the user? This framework must be clearly defined,” he said. He noted that Malaysia’s Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, which includes young people, although such freedom may be restricted on grounds of security, morality and public interest. He stressed any regulatory approach should be preceded by public consultation and engagement with all relevant stakeholders before any policy is finalised and must carefully balance these considerations to avoid violations of fundamental rights. “An effective approach requires balance – between prudent enforcement, education, protection and respect for fundamental rights and freedom. In a constantly evolving digital world, the real challenge is not merely keeping kids away from social media, but preparing them to navigate social media safely, ethically and responsibly,” he said. – Bernama

are essential if the 16-year age limit is enforced, warning that without societal understanding, the policy risks becoming a rule on paper that can be difficult to enforce. Balanced alternatives Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Mara Negeri Sembilan assistant rector and Faculty of Information Science lecturer Associate Prof Dr Masitah Ahmad said the proposed age limit should be addressed through a balanced approach that considers both protection and adolescents’ developmental needs. She pointed out numerous studies have shown that uncontrolled social media use and constant social comparison can affect adolescents’ mental health negatively, leading to anxiety, emotional stress, sleep disorders and self-image or personality issues. “Teenagers under 16 are in a critical phase of identity and self-esteem development. Excessive exposure to public judgement, negative comments and popularity pressure can leave psychological effects that are long-term. However, overly restrictive measures also risk excluding adolescents from communication spaces that have become primary platforms for social interaction and learning. “Social media is used for youth activism, discussions on current issues, informal learning and self-expression. If access is completely restricted, the government must consider equally viable alternatives,” she said. She suggested phased regulatory approaches, including screen-time limits, age-appropriate content filtering and more effective parental control features, rather than a blanket ban. “We are talking about a generation for whom the digital world was foundational to growing up. The focus should not be solely on restricting access, but on building their capacity to face risks with maturity and resilience,”

exploitation and exposure to inappropriate online content. Australia has been cited as a yardstick, having begun enforcing a ban on social media use for children under 16 – described as the first of its kind internationally – with the law coming fully into effect last Wednesday. The move signals a major shift in international digital governance and sets a new benchmark for how governments worldwide may act to protect young users online. According to previous reports, Malaysia is also targeting the implementation of digital user identity verification by all social media platforms by the end of the second quarter of 2026 in an effort to enforce the minimum age requirement for account registration. Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has been instructed to engage with all social media platforms and provide them with a reasonable timeframe to implement the measure. However, even as efforts are intensified to protect vulnerable groups, the proposal has also raised questions about children’s rights – particularly their right to communicate, access information and express themselves in a digital world that has become deeply embedded in their daily lives. Digital literacy education Commenting on the issue, Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) deputy president Ts Azrul Zafri Azmi said that in today’s limitless digital landscape, social media is no longer merely a form of entertainment, but a central space for social interaction, learning and identity formation, especially among young people. That said, he noted that this convenience also opens the door to inspire creativity. Visitors can enjoy a vibrant multicultural drum show celebrating Malaysia’s rich heritage, as well as energetic dance performances that showcase movement, expression and creativity. Families can capture joyful moments at the festive photo booth, while mascots A.R.I.F., joined by Wira, Manja and Mechamato, make special appearances for fun and interactive sessions of meet-and-greet. Petronas Twin Towers Sky Xperience offers panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Visitors can explore the world’s tallest double decked Sky Bridge at Levels 41 and 42 and the Sky Deck at Level 86. The experience is further enhanced by Sky Cafe at Level 83, a premium dining spot offering unique delicacies, allowing guests to unwind while enjoying views from within the city skyline from above. Together, Petrosains and The Sky Xperience provide a seamless holiday adventure where discovery on the ground meets inspiration in the sky.

difficult-to-control risks that seem to become increasingly complex. “MCCA continuously receives complaint about scams, cyberbullying and sexual exploitation affecting underage users, from parents. Kids today are facing algorithms they do not understand. They can be contacted by unknown adults, emotionally manipulated, influenced by extremist content or targeted by cyber predators without even realising it,” he said. Azrul Zafri said although most social media platforms set a minimum age of 13 in line with international practice, enforcement can do more. “Kids can register accounts simply by changing their date of birth. Without stronger age verification, existing limits fail to provide real protection are merely symbolic,” he explained. While viewing the proposed minimum age of 16 as a progressive step reflecting the government’s seriousness in addressing child digital safety, he stressed implementation must not be merely cosmetic, but realistic. Although supportive of regulatory efforts, he cautioned age restrictions alone will not solve the root of the problem unless accompanied by comprehensive education that results in digital literacy. “We cannot just prohibit without educating. Kids must be equipped with an understanding of online risks, be able to recognise digital manipulation, know how to protect themselves and use social media responsibly and ethically. Parents play a crucial role as the first line of defence in their kid’s digital safety. Laws cannot replace parental supervision – if parents themselves lack digital literacy, any restriction can easily be bypassed,” he said. He added that public awareness campaigns and continuous education

Sky Experience, Petrosains bringing year-end school holiday to life

Kids and parents are having fun answering quizzes by the Petrosains team to win exciting merchandise.