According to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, the government is weighing stricter enforcement measures that could prohibit children under 13 from owning social media accounts. While most platforms already restrict underage users, Fahmi noted that many Malaysian students below 13 still actively use apps like TikTok and other platforms.
Enforcement and Content Removal
From January 2022 to mid-July 2025, over 1400 pieces of harmful content involving children were removed by service providers at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). These takedowns were based on violations of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and platform guidelines.
To empower youth online, the ministry is rolling out digital literacy modules for those aged 13 and above. These aim to help teens critically assess online content and navigate digital spaces safely.
“Not everything we see on social media is necessarily true,” Fahmi emphasised during his Dewan Rakyat address.
Boosting Local Child-Friendly Content
Fahmi also called for greater investment in child-safe local content, citing platforms like Durioo — developed with support from MDEC — as models for positive engagement. He plans to work with Finas to expand content aligned with Malaysian values.
In other news, we also just reported that MCMC logs over 8000 cyberbullying complaints in just 10 months. It's another worrying trend, as Malaysia was ranked 2nd in Asia by UNICEF in youth cyberbullying. You can read more about it right over here.
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