--fotoBERNAMA (2024) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will examine the strategies used by other countries to tackle issues surrounding social media and its use by minors, says Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said his ministry has raised the matter of an age limit on social media platforms several times, and some had imposed such restrictions.
“However, the reality is there are children who are six or seven with social media accounts, based on my observations.
“The platform operators do impose age restrictions but implementation is lax.
“We are also examining what other countries, including Australia, have implemented to tackle this issue," he told the weekly post-Cabinet meeting press conference here on Wednesday (Sept 11).
ALSO READ: Australia plans age limit to ban children from social media (https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2024/09/10/australia-plans-age-limit-to-ban-children-from-social-media)
Fahmi, who is also government spokesman, said social media licensing to be imposed by the government would make the platforms more accountable in their operations, including enforcing the age limit restrictions.
On Tuesday (Sept 10), the Australian government announced a minimum age limit for minors to use social media, citing concerns about mental and physical health.
The move would see an age verification trial conducted before introducing restrictions, said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
