PETALING JAYA: With only one day to go before Putrajaya restricts social media access for those under the age of 16 and age verification requirements, Malaysian parents and teenagers are calling for a careful balancing act between protection and privacy.
The government had earlier this year announced plans to introduce age limits and verification requirements for access to social media, with implementation expected by June, pending final review.
Nik Mariam Salina Nik Idris, a retiree with a teenage son, said she welcomes the restrictions.
“There is only so much we, as parents, can do to monitor and control the usage of the various platforms by our children.”
The 58-year-old noted that children today are raised in an environment where social media is the norm, adding that “they will find ways to curtail whatever control you put in place”.
At the same time, she acknowledged its benefits when used positively, saying “social media can be beneficial especially in increasing worldwide knowledge, as it is borderless and fast”.
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On whether the proposed restrictions could curb cyberbullying, she said: “How much it can reduce cyberbullying is difficult to tell”, stressing that upbringing and values still play a key role.
Mohamad Sabran Afandy, 44, a property agent with two teenagers aged 15 and 16, described his initial reaction as “mixed”, saying, “I understand the concern about online safety and cyberbullying, especially for younger teens.
“But at the same time, social media is already a big part of how teenagers communicate and learn today, so I think balance is important.”
He said social media carries both benefits and risks, noting that it can help teenagers stay connected, learn new things and be creative, but also warned that “too much exposure can lead to unhealthy comparisons, distractions, cyberbullying and too much screen time”.
While Sabran believes restrictions may help, “I don’t think restrictions alone are enough because bullying can still happen on other platforms”, adding that education and awareness are just as important.
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On the age verification requirement, Sabran said: “There’s a legitimate public interest in protecting minors and reducing abuse online. But requiring official ID for social media creates serious privacy surveillance and cybersecurity risks if implemented poorly.”
Among teenagers, many are concerned about how the restrictions could affect their friendships, communication, entertainment and even freedom online.
Nurul Nadhrah Adriani, 15, said the age limit and verification felt unreal, adding that she was confused and surprised when “I realised that something I always took for granted might change completely”.
While acknowledging the need for some safeguards, she said it really depends on the person, noting that “some limits can make sense if the goal is to ensure safety and balance rather than trying to control”.
The teenager from Seri Puteri School also pointed out that cyberbullying can have a deep impact.
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“It follows them everywhere, not just at school but also at home through their social media.
“Many adults assume teenagers only use social media for entertainment or wasting time, but for a lot of teens it’s also where communication, creativity and communities exist,” she explained.
Urging policymakers to listen to young users, she said: “Policymakers should listen directly to teenagers themselves since we are the ones experiencing social media every day.”
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is working with platform providers to standardise mechanisms, moving beyond age assurance to stricter age verification, potentially using official identification such as MyKad.
Discussions with social media companies are ongoing with several platforms indicating readiness to comply, as Malaysia joins a growing list of countries tightening controls to better safeguard younger users online.
