RAUB: The Communications Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is reviewing the best and fastest mechanism to regulate online video games amid growing concerns over user safety, especially among children.
Its minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, said discussions with MCMC have been held on the matter, but no official decision has been made yet as it remains under evaluation.
"Insya-Allah, the Online Safety Act (OnSA) will take effect early next year. This Act will be used to ensure that social media platforms and online service providers create a safe ecosystem, particularly for children and families,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking to reporters after officiating the Pahang-level Safe Internet Campaign (KIS) at Sekolah Kebangsaan Raub Indah here on Thursday (Oct 30).
Also present were state communications and multimedia, youth, sports and non-governmental organisations committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal and Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general Mano Verabathran.
Fahmi said the ministry is also assessing the need to license at least 10 types of online games, including ‘Roblox’, which is deemed unsuitable for children under the age of 16.
"We are studying the most appropriate and effective regulatory framework. Give us some time before an official announcement is made, but what’s certain is that we cannot afford to remain idle,” he said.
He said the ministry had met representatives of Roblox following an incident in Kampung Parit Nipah Laut, Batu Pahat, where a six-year-old boy was severely injured after being attacked by his nine-year-old brother, allegedly influenced by online gaming.
"I met with Roblox representatives, and they were quite anxious because, on the same day, reports emerged of a nine-year-old who injured his younger brother, and the case was linked to Roblox.
"I have personally banned my children from playing Roblox and deleted the app from all devices at home. However, the government has yet to make an official decision on the matter. I urge parents to monitor their children’s online activities closely,” he said.
Fahmi also said that MCMC will summon the developer of the OMI app soon to explain, following a case involving a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly mistreated by a man she met through the platform.
"This app must come under regulatory oversight because we cannot allow such incidents to recur. MCMC is currently reviewing the app, and it is understood that OMI has not yet been classified under any regulatory category.
"Our challenge is not only to restrict social media access for those under 16 but also to ensure proper age verification and identity confirmation.
"Each platform, such as Facebook and TikTok, has its own mechanisms, but they are still not convincing enough,” he said.- Bernama
