Kuala lumpur: The responsibility for ensuring children's safety online must be shared among governments, technology companies, schools, and parents, says Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. In addressing proposals to ban social media access for individuals below the age of 16, he said that when these pillars worked together, young people could benefit from the digital world without being overwhelmed by its risks.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lee emphasized that a blanket ban might not be the most effective or sustainable solution. He highlighted that social media, when used responsibly, could serve as a vital tool for communication, creativity, learning, and social connection, especially in an increasingly digital world. He cautioned that denying access entirely might inadvertently limit digital literacy development and drive usage underground, complicating monitoring and guidance.
Lee acknowledged that the online environment today presented real risks to minors, including exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, misinformation, and excessive screen time, all of which could negatively impact mental health, social development, and academic performance. He asserted that governments had a duty to strengthen safeguards and ensure digital platforms were accountable for user safety, particularly for children.
He proposed a more balanced approach focusing on robust protective frameworks rather than outright prohibition. This included implementing strict age-appropriate design codes and stronger verification systems by platforms. Lee also advocated for mandatory parental control tools, digital supervision features, comprehensive digital literacy education in schools, clearer legal accountability for platforms failing to protect minors, and public awareness campaigns to educate parents and guardians.
Ultimately, Lee stressed that the goal should not be solely to restrict access but to cultivate a generation of digitally responsible, resilient, and informed young citizens. He concluded that policies must be guided by urgency, evidence, inclusiveness, and long-term societal impact.