Malaysia’s proposed social media age limit: Experts stress parental monitoring should extend beyond basic filters

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Malaysia’s plan to limit social media access for those under 16 is seen as a positive step to improve children’s online safety, especially when combined with active parental involvement.

Experts say filters and screen time controls alone are not enough, stressing that parents should also guide and educate their children to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzil Che Din noted that social media is now a key part of learning, but must be monitored to ensure children can distinguish between beneficial and harmful content.

A parent, Amira Azman, said while regulations help, responsibility ultimately lies with parents. She added that constant monitoring is challenging, so parents should focus on mentoring, as children are often more tech-savvy and exposed to fast-changing platforms and peer pressure.

She also stressed that schools and social media providers must share responsibility in protecting children online. — Bernama