KUALA LUMPUR – Parents now have access to enhanced digital safety tools to better monitor their children’s online activities, with new features such as Meta Teen Accounts, TikTok’s Family Pairing, and Google’s Family Link introduced to strengthen protection in the digital space.
These initiatives by major tech platforms aim to keep the social media ecosystem safe and positive, reflecting the growing need to protect children in the digital space.
Meta Malaysia’s public policy manager, Amirah Amir, said the company has rolled out more than 50 safety tools, developed with guidance from global experts, to foster a healthier online environment.
“Trust and positive user experience are at the core of Meta’s business model, as digital platforms today are not only used for connectivity, but also for education and business purposes. For teenagers aged 13 to 17, special attention is required through parental supervision, which is why Meta Teen Accounts were introduced,” she said during a sharing session held in conjunction with the Safer Internet Campaign 2026 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa.
Amirah explained that safety settings are automatically activated by default, such as private account mode for users under 15, easing the burden of manual parental monitoring. Teen accounts also feature strict privacy controls, limiting interactions to approved followers, and a ‘Hidden Words’ function to filter bullying or harassment.
“Users below the age of 18 will be placed under teen accounts, with the strictest settings. For those aged between 13 and 15, accounts are set to private mode and require parental consent for any changes,” she said, adding that since its launch in September 2024, about 90 per cent of users in the age group have retained the preset privacy settings.
TikTok’s public policy manager, Aliff Zakaria, highlighted that Family Pairing enables parents to link accounts with their children’s, allowing them to manage screen time and restrict inappropriate content remotely.
“Through Family Pairing, parents can set their children’s accounts as either private or public, and manage direct messages to prevent contact with unknown parties,” he said.
Google’s government affairs and public policy manager, Arianne Santoso, added that Family Link offers comprehensive controls, enabling parents to monitor app downloads, block unsuitable content, and set screen-time limits without physically handling their children’s devices.
“If a child installs an application, we can see, for example, that the application may not be suitable or age-appropriate. We can then block the application through Family Link, without needing to directly use the child’s phone,” she said.
The session with platform providers was held in conjunction with Safer Internet Day 2026, themed “Smart Technology, Safe Choices: Safe and Responsible Use of AI.” Organised by the Ministry of Communications and led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the event provided practical guidance on building a safer digital environment for children and youths. - February 8, 2026
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