KUALA LUMPUR: Legal experts are suggesting that the Malaysian government should consider introducing laws to prevent children and teenagers under 16 from using social media platforms, following the example set by Australia. Lawyer Muhammad Akram Abdul Aziz proposed that the government should draft, review, or amend existing laws to ensure such regulations effectively curb social media use among this age group.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, nearly all social media platforms already have minimum age requirements for account creation. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for the government to ban this group from using or accessing social media, Muhammad Akram stated. He argued that the ban is necessary because young individuals are particularly vulnerable to being influenced by harmful trends or deceived by misleading information. He noted, “Imagine, even adults in Malaysia can be swayed by fake posts on social media, let alone those underage and less mature.”
On Thursday, the Australian Senate passed a law b
anning children and teenagers aged 16 and under from using social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, and X, making Australia the first country to do so. Muhammad Akram believed that even with such a law in place, the targeted group could still engage in beneficial online activities that do not involve social media.
He highlighted the potential harms social media users have faced after being influenced by trends online and expressed concern that young people could encounter the same risks if allowed unfettered access. “Such restrictions also serve to prevent the erosion of traditions and culture, which is becoming increasingly serious. Many children with access to social media show disrespect towards older people in conversations and sometimes fail to control their emotions, throwing tantrums,” he said.
Meanwhile, lawyer Ahmad Fahmi Moin noted that there are currently no specific laws in Malaysia prohibiting children and teenagers under 16 from accessing social media platf
orms. He mentioned that existing laws, such as the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588), are sufficient for government agencies and enforcement bodies to monitor and take action against social media abuse.
However, Ahmad Fahmi suggested that if studies by experts or organizations indicate that social media usage is harmful to children and teenagers under 16, the government could consider imposing a similar ban like Australia. Lawyer Nizam Bashir also recommended that the Malaysian government emulate Australia by introducing or reviewing laws to regulate social media use among this age group. He acknowledged that such laws would impact freedom of speech but argued that moderate restrictions would not unconstitutionally violate fundamental rights.