Malaysia may adopt legislation similar to Australia’s move to restrict children’s access and exposure to social media, as the government considers new rules to safeguard minors from online harm, various local news reports.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Nancy Shukri said the government is studying Australia’s approach as it weighs introducing laws to stop people from exploiting children as content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

“We are looking into implementing similar laws,” Nancy said, adding that public feedback would be sought before any decision is made. 

“Children should not be used to generate content. Their safety and mental health must come first.”

Her remarks follow Australia’s legislation to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts without parental consent and to require platforms to verify users’ ages. 

The move aims to reduce risks such as cyberbullying, grooming, and the negative psychological effects of social media.

In Malaysia, the concern is not just about children’s own use of social media, but also about adults—particularly influencers and teachers—who post videos or photos of students and young children online.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil echoed the concerns, urging educators to avoid turning students into social media content.

He warned that even seemingly innocent videos could attract predators.

“If a teacher is also an influencer, they should create other content,” he said during a dialogue with hundreds of schoolteachers on Thursday. 

“Uploading students’ faces or names can put them at risk. Criminals are now online.”

Fahmi said Malaysia needed a serious conversation about children’s visibility on digital platforms, especially given the rise of paedophile-linked social media groups with thousands of followers.

Both the communication and education ministries are now working together on how children can be protected in the digital space. – March 22, 2025