PUTRAJAYA: A 10-year-old pupil was reportedly harassing his female teacher requesting for indecent photos via an online messaging app, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the incident stressed the need to restrict minors from the use of social media, especially among children under 16 years of age.
“The teacher complained that the pupil had sent her a message requesting indecent photos,” Fahmi shared in a press conference after launching the Safe Internet Campaign Mega Carnival at IOI Grand Exhibition Hall and Convention Centre here yesterday.
Fahmi further elaborated that the incident raised questions since WhatsApp had implemented a minimum age limit of 16.
“So the question is, why can such an incident happen? There are many examples, but that is one example that is very close to me because it was personally reported to me.”
Fahmi expressed hope that the restriction of social media and messaging platforms among minors could prevent similar incidents.
When asked whether the ministry would cooperate with the Education Ministry, Fahmi said the latter has been informed.
Fahmi had previously announced a proposal to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms and to tighten content controls for teenagers under 18, as part of 10 subsidiary laws being drafted under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866).
He explained that the move was among initiatives to curb cross-age cybercrime and protect children from the risk of online exploitation and sexual predators.
Among the mechanisms being refined is the implementation of Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) verification, which will be mandatory for social media platforms.
Fahmi also shared that the ministry is looking at aligning the sexual offenders registry with upcoming online safety measures, with discussions to be held with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
He said the cooperation between his ministry and Azalina’s office is already strong under the implementation of the Online Safety Act (ONSA), and further coordination will follow once the Act comes into force.
“Yes, I will raise this matter with her.
“But certainly, once the Act is enforced, several aspects including what is known as the sexual offenders registry can be incorporated.
“The Online Safety Act will be reviewed by an online safety committee, which is under Datuk Seri Azalina,” he added.
