PETALING JAYA: Parents have welcomed regulations to protect children from harmful online content saying that there must be such safeguards for youngsters.
They said the government’s move to restrict those under 16 from having social media accounts is crucial as it holds social media companies accountable for implementing necessary safeguards on their platforms.
Firdaus Kamal from Kajang, Selangor, said he does not allow his two teenagers to own smartphones even before the Online Safety Act was introduced.
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“They don’t have their own gadgets and therefore don’t have social media accounts. At times, I only allow them to watch YouTube or kid-friendly shows,” he said.
Firdaus, 40, added that it is easy for strangers to link up with children online and for youngsters to access inappropriate content online.
Similar sentiments were expressed by 39-year-old Tan Kin Wai from Bangi, Selangor, who said he and his wife have always limited their children’s access to the internet.
“We don’t let them use social media. We only give them limited YouTube access through the Google Family Link app, which allows us to monitor and block unsafe content,” he added.
Tan thanked the government for introducing the Act to safeguard the physical and mental wellbeing of the next generation, saying that not all parents have the time, resources or awareness to protect their children from unsafe content online.
Ashley Tan, a 36-year-old mother of two, said she does not ban her children from having social media accounts.
“As a parent, if you ban, they will find ways around it. It is better to build trust with your kids and hope they understand that every choice has consequences,” she said.
