Fahmi Fadzil Calls on Social Media Platforms to Enforce Age Limit
In a move to address growing concerns about online safety, Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has called on social media platforms to enforce their existing age restrictions strictly. The announcement comes amid a global shift towards stricter regulations, with countries like Australia setting new precedents in digital safety.
“All platforms—Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X—have community standards that limit accounts to users aged 13 and above. The real issue lies in how these age restrictions are implemented and verified,” Fahmi explained. He further warned that failure to comply might lead to discussions within the ministry on alternative actions.
Australia’s Bold Ban Sets the Tone
Fahmi’s remarks come in response to Australia’s new Social Media Minimum Age Bill. The bill, passed last week, prohibits individuals under 16 from using social media platforms. It also requires companies like Meta and TikTok to enforce strict age verification systems. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to AUD49.5 million (~RM13,992,128). The legislation, set to be fully enforced in 2025 following a trial period, is the first of its kind globally.
Australia’s bold step has sparked international debate, with many viewing it as a potential blueprint for nations grappling with the impact of social media on youth. While Fahmi did not explicitly endorse a similar approach for Malaysia, his emphasis on stricter age verification signals alignment with the global trend toward enhancing digital safety.
Local Measures to Strengthen Regulation
In Malaysia, the upcoming Code of Conduct for social media and messaging platform providers, spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), will require platforms to roll out effective age verification mechanisms. This aligns with a new licensing requirement slated to begin on the 1st of January, 2025.
Additionally, proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 will give authorities the power to compel platforms to disclose user data, a measure aimed at combating misinformation and addressing the issue of fake accounts.
Challenges and Global Implications
While Australia’s approach has garnered attention, it highlights significant challenges in enforcement and privacy. Critics have questioned the feasibility of verifying users’ ages without infringing on privacy rights. Similarly, tech companies have expressed mixed reactions, balancing the need for safety with operational and ethical concerns.
Fahmi’s call for stricter adherence to age restrictions and the development of Malaysia’s regulatory framework reflects a shared global acknowledgement of the need for greater accountability in the digital space. However, whether Malaysia will follow Australia’s example of an outright ban remains to be seen.
