KUALA LUMPUR – Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has stressed that proposed restrictions on social media access for those aged 16 and below are aimed at safeguarding children, not limiting their freedom of expression.
“The intention is not to restrict freedom of expression, especially among children, but to ensure their safety and that of families online,” he said after launching the Kuala Lumpur Arts Festival 2026, according to NST.
Under the proposal, minors would not be allowed to independently register or own social media accounts, but may still access platforms through accounts owned and monitored by their parents.
Fahmi said the measure is designed to strengthen parental oversight and enable quicker intervention in cases of inappropriate online engagement.
“If parents open and own the account, and children use it under supervision, that should not be an issue.
“What we want to avoid is children communicating directly with adults who may be predators or paedophiles,” he said.
He pointed to growing risks in the digital space, including cases involving grooming and cyberbullying, as justification for tighter controls.
“As a father and as a minister, and based on discussions with the police, there is a strong view that social media platforms should not allow children to open accounts on their own,” he said.
Fahmi also cited recent incidents to underscore the urgency, including a case in Sabah involving a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted after being lured through TikTok.
“These are not isolated cases. Children face serious risks online,” he added.
He stressed that the proposal targets only unsupervised account ownership and does not restrict general internet access, with minors still able to browse and consume content, including on platforms such as YouTube.
Fahmi said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is currently engaging stakeholders, including industry players and the public, to refine the proposal ahead of its planned enforcement in June.
“Our priority is to ensure a safer Internet environment, especially for children and families,” he said.
He added that the regulator is also conducting a sandbox exercise with platform providers to standardise safeguards, including moving from age assurance to stricter age verification using official identification such as MyKad.
The proposed move reflects a broader global shift towards tighter controls on minors’ access to social media, amid rising concerns over online safety. – April 18, 2026