KUALA LUMPUR – Parents and the public should not view Malaysia’s new age verification requirements for under-16 internet users as a blanket ban on children accessing the online world, says Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh.
Rather, the Child Protection Code (CPC) and Risk Mitigation Code (RMC) which came into force today are meant to create a safer digital environment for children rather than restrict their access to educational and beneficial online content.
Syed Ibrahim said concerns among some quarters that age verification mechanisms could prevent children from using the internet were misplaced, as the policy's primary objective was to shield young users from growing online threats.
“What is important to understand is that this approach is not a blanket prohibition on children’s use of the internet.
“Rather, it is intended to ensure that digital access takes place within an environment that is safer, more controlled and appropriate to their age,” he said in a statement today.
The codes, which are under the Online Safety Act 2025, require online platforms to introduce age-appropriate safeguards, including age verification mechanisms for under-16 users.
Syed Ibrahim said the move was timely given the increasing risks faced by children and teenagers in the digital space, including sexual exploitation, exposure to harmful content, online scams, cyberbullying and the influence of algorithms that could negatively affect their mental and emotional development.
He stressed that children would continue to have access to educational content and digital learning resources, provided such access takes place with appropriate parental or guardian guidance.
“Children can still access educational content and digital learning resources with the guidance of parents or guardians.
“The primary focus of this implementation is to protect them from the risks and threats that are becoming increasingly alarming within today’s digital ecosystem,” he said.
The deputy natural resources and environmental sustainability minister also urged social media companies to take greater responsibility for user safety, particularly where children are concerned, arguing that commercial interests should not take precedence over the wellbeing of young users.
“I also hope that all social media platform providers will play a more responsible role in ensuring that the safety of users, particularly children, is not sidelined in favour of profit and user growth alone,” he said.
Syed Ibrahim added that protecting children online should not be viewed solely as the government's responsibility, but as a collective effort involving parents, schools, communities and digital platform providers. - June 1, 2026
The post Social media age verification not meant to ban children from online spaces: MP appeared first on Scoop.