SEXUAL predation and cyberbullying are certainly on the rise and one way to curb them is to ban under-16s from having social media accounts.
Malaysia is expected to do so next year, following the lead of Australia,which is expected to implement such a ban from Dec 10.
As it was a much debated policy issue in Canberra, it will be so in Putrajaya, too. A gathering storm of expert opinions is already evident.
But let’s start with Australia, which passed the law in November last year, the world’s first such legislative ban, whose aim it was stated to be to protect children’s mental health and wellbeing.
The law requires designated social media companies to adopt reasonable steps to prevent under-16 individuals from having such accounts with such platforms. Offending platforms face a hefty non-compliance penalty of A$50 million.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Snapchat and similar companies whose sole or significant purpose is to promote social interaction are in the radar.
Canb erra’s eSafety Commissioner website says the government is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development from social media platforms’ “design features that encourage them to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing.
It says Canberra’s legislative move isn’t a ban, but one that comes with an age limit. Once Australians reach 16, they can have their own accounts.
The law imposing the age limit is also not aimed at penalising children or their parents but at punishing non-compliant social media companies.
Australian children can still use the platforms, but they won’t be able to post material on the service. To save themselves from harm they are advised to do so under the supervision of their parents.
Social media platforms have become a dark and dangerous world even for adults. Little wonder, in addition to Malaysia, other countries like Denmark and Norway are following Australia’s lead.
Malaysia’s Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that Putrjaya is aiming to implement the ban on social media accounts for children aged 16 and below starting next year.
While the cabinet has decided to prohibit Malaysians under 16 from having social media accounts, the government is studying the mechanism used in countries like Australia.
Fahmi said in addition to the Online Safety Act, coming into force on Jan 1, and the Communications and Multimedia Act, the government was reviewing the implementation of a general age limit, including enforcement mechanisms.
Malaysian academics and other experts are saying the planned ban is a timely initiative but at the same time are calling for a balanced approach.
A hard ban will lead to a “digital cliff” dilemma, meaning total digital isolation, said one.
It is unclear what form Malaysia’s under-16 social media ban will take, but as Fahmi put it “if the government, regulatory bodies and parents play their roles, we can ensure that the Internet in Malaysia is not only fast, widespread and affordable, but most importantly, safe, especially for children and families”.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
