A screen capture of Fahmi announcing the social media age to 16 on Facebook.
THE government’s proposal to raise the minimum age for social media users from 13 to 16 has drawn public support online, with many Malaysians saying the move is timely to protect children from harmful content and negative influences.
The idea, first floated by the Madani Government spokesperson and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil after last week’s Cabinet meeting, has since sparked discussion across various platforms – and much of the feedback has been positive.
Parents and educators have praised the government’s intention to make social media use safer for minors, citing increasing exposure to inappropriate material, cyberbullying and imitation of risky online behaviour among young teens.
“Draft and enforce the law – Malaysian youth are easily influenced by unhealthy trends on social media,” one user commented. Many others shared similar sentiments, though some raised questions about how the system would work in practice.
Under the proposal, the government aims to curb social issues among students by setting 16 as the minimum age for social media use – aligning Malaysia with countries such as Australia and Indonesia.
To enforce the rule, the government is studying a verification process that would require users to register their accounts with official identification documents such as the MyKad, MyDigital ID or passport. The process may be modelled after the electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system used by banks and e-wallet platforms such as Touch ’n Go and Grab, which digitally verify a person’s identity using facial recognition and biometric data.
The Communications Ministry is also working with other agencies, including Bank Negara Malaysia, to assess the feasibility of this verification mechanism.
The move follows growing concern over the impact of social media on teenagers, especially after several incidents of violence and antisocial behaviour believed to be linked to online influence.
The minister’s social media post announcing the proposal has been well received, signalling public readiness for stricter digital safeguards. For many Malaysians, the message is clear – it’s time to give children the space to grow up with less screen time and more real-world balance.
