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CHILD protection and cybersecurity experts have cautioned that Malaysia’s proposed ban on social media use for those under 16 may prove counterproductive, arguing that technological safeguards and stronger regulation would offer more effective protection than a blanket prohibition.
Last November, the Cabinet approved raising the minimum age for social media accounts to 16, with enforcement expected by mid-2026.
The measure forms part of broader efforts to combat cyberbullying, exploitation and harmful content under the Online Safety Act, which is scheduled to come into force in July.
However, UNICEF Malaysia chief of child protection Saskia Blume said bans alone would not address the complexity of online risks faced by children.
“Digital spaces, including social media, are not only sources of risk but also places where many children learn, play, express themselves and stay connected, particularly those who feel isolated.
“Bans are not a cure-all for complex online harms.
“They risk cutting children off from important sources of information and support, which may push them into more covert and less safe spaces,” The Star reported her saying.
Blume advocated a child rights-based approach, combining digital literacy initiatives with safer platform design, enhanced accountability for technology companies and greater support for parents and caregivers.
“Effective protection means reducing harm while still enabling children to access information, build skills, connect with others and express themselves in age-appropriate and safe ways,” she added.
Selvakumar Manickam, director of the Cybersecurity Research Centre (Cyres), echoed those concerns, noting that age-based bans may limit casual access but are unlikely to be foolproof.
“Banning children from moderated platforms such as TikTok or Instagram does not eliminate their desire for digital connection but redirects it,” he said.
He warned that children could circumvent restrictions by falsifying birth dates, using shared accounts or migrating to alternative services, including less regulated or fringe platforms and encrypted messaging applications where oversight is minimal.
Such environments, he noted, may lack artificial intelligence-based grooming detection and reporting mechanisms.
Selvakumar suggested that so-called “teen accounts”, featuring restricted visibility, parental supervision and built-in safety defaults, could offer a more balanced alternative to a total ban.
Similarly, Mohamed Ridza Wahiddin, a cybersecurity expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said age-based prohibitions have limited effectiveness, as children frequently find ways to bypass them.
He pointed to Australia’s recent restrictions as an illustration of unintended consequences.
“Despite removing nearly 5 million under-16 accounts since last December in Australia, teenagers continued viewing content without logging in or by using virtual private networks (VPNs),” he said.
According to Mohamed Ridza, the Australian move also triggered a surge in downloads of obscure platforms lacking adequate safety features, raising the risk of grooming and scams.
Rather than imposing an outright ban, he proposed integrating AI detection, robust moderation systems and safe default settings to identify child sexual abuse material and other harmful content, alongside firm penalties for platform providers that fail to comply with regulations. - February 19, 2026