Cover image via Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
This Spotlight is sponsored by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Malaysia plans to raise the minimum age for social media users to 16 to create a safer online space for young people
The government is proposing to raise the minimum age for social media users from 13 to 16 as part of efforts to strengthen protection for children and teenagers against online harm.
The move comes as the Communications Ministry pushes for mandatory age verification through electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) checks using MyKad, MyDigital ID, or passports.
It aims to protect young users from explicit content, grooming, scams, and cyberbullying, which have become increasingly common as children spend more time online.
To ensure compliance, the new rules will be backed by two key laws:
- The Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA): Gives the government authority to enforce age verification requirements
- Amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588): Empowers the MCMC to issue directives and take action against platforms that fail to comply
ㅤ
These legislative changes will give authorities stronger enforcement powers to ensure global tech companies protect young users.
Recent findings and a rise in reported incidents involving minors show that the country is in need of stronger safeguards online
A 2023 UNICEF report, Disrupting Harm Malaysia, found that 4% of internet users aged 12 to 17 had experienced online sexual exploitation, including blackmail and non-consensual image sharing.
Another 2022 study showed that about three in 10 teenagers had been victims of cyberbullying, while a 2021 survey found that over 70% of students had been exposed to pornographic material.
Grooming and online exploitation are also on the rise. Recent cases of sexual violence in schools — including incidents in Melaka and Kedah where students were arrested for gang rape and for circulating videos of the assaults — show how digital risks can spill into real-world harm.
Experts said these cases highlight the link between the online and offline worlds, underscoring the need for stricter safeguards and better education on responsible digital use.
The Communications Ministry said raising the age limit from 13 to 16 would help shield children from early exposure to harmful content and give schools and parents more time to build digital literacy and emotional resilience before adolescents gain full access to social media.
Experts say the move shows the government is serious about protecting children
Child rights activist Dr Hartini Zainudin said that the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are right to move toward mandatory electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) and enforceable age-checks.
"Self-regulation has not protected Malaysian children, therefore the government must. Platforms operating in Malaysia should be licensed and audited for child-safety compliance, with transparent reports and real penalties.
"These are not extreme measures; they are the minimum standard in countries that take children's online safety seriously," she said.
She added that mandatory eKYC and enforceable age checks were crucial to shift responsibility back to the platforms.
"If a company can verify users for e-payments, it can do the same to keep children safe. Accountability cannot be optional," she said.
Mental health expert Dr Fauziah Mohd Saad added that mandatory rules set a clear standard for accountability.
"Children's safety cannot rely on self-regulation. Mandatory rules set a clear standard for accountability.
"This policy signals a serious shift. Platforms will no longer 'self-regulate' without responsibility. They must protect young users, be transparent, and answer to local laws," she said.
She added that parental consent could be considered for teens aged 13 to 15, but only if strict privacy settings and usage limits were in place.
Both experts agreed that education must complement enforcement to build long-term online resilience among children
"Digital literacy should be the first line of defence. The goal, I believe, is not only to restrict access, but to raise a generation that can recognise and reject danger before it finds them," said Dr Hartini.
She added that schools should teach empathy, cyber-safety, and the emotional impact of online harm as part of the curriculum.
"Parents need simple tools and guides, not long PDFs," she said.
Dr Fauziah added that age checks must be supported by education.
"Schools, parents, and communities need to teach children digital resilience, emotional skills, and how to seek help online," she said.
For more #news stories:
- Malaysia To Mandate ID Verification For All Social Media Users To Keep Kids Safe
- Malaysia To Enforce eKYC Verification For Social Media Platforms. Here's Everything You Need To Know
- Agencies, Schools & Parents Should Work Together For Children's Online Safety, Expert Says
Got some cool brand news to share?
Take a look at all of our Spotlight stories to date here.
