The Deputy Communications Minister of Malaysia, Teo Nie Ching, announced that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is collaborating with social media companies to address the issue of social media usage by children under 13 years old, as reported by The Star.
Teo explained that currently, social media platforms solely rely on users to register accounts, lacking mechanisms to verify if users meet age requirements. She highlighted ongoing discussions with companies like Meta and TikTok aimed at preventing and eliminating social media accounts held by children under the age of 13.
Teo, who is also a mother, emphasized that protecting children in the digital realm is a priority for her both personally and professionally. Despite the absence of specific regulations targeting children’s access to social media, existing laws, including the Penal Code and the Child Act, incorporate provisions for child protection.
Additionally, the MCMC spearheads the “Klik Dengan Bijak” (Click Wisely) Program, which educates users about safe internet practices and reinforces that children under 13 should not have social media accounts.
Teo also advised parents to actively participate in their children’s online activities, establish clear internet usage guidelines, maintain open communication, and set a positive example themselves. She stressed the importance of parents educating themselves about privacy settings, utilizing parental control tools, and keeping up with current online trends and risks to better guide their children toward safe and responsible online behavior.
She concluded by noting that there is no universal method for teaching children to safely navigate the digital world, but active and informed parenting is crucial for helping children develop sound online judgment and safety.