Lam Thye: Online child safety is shared obligation; blanket social media ban not the answer

 

THE responsibility for ensuring children’s safety online must be shared among governments, technology companies, schools and parents.

When these pillars worked together, young people could benefit from the digital world without being overwhelmed by its risks, according to Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye when addressing proposals to ban social media access for individuals below the age of 16.

“A blanket ban may not necessarily be the most effective or sustainable solution. Social media, when used responsibly, can also serve as an important tool for communication, creativity, learning and social connection, especially in an increasingly digital world,” stressed the 79-year-old veteran social activist.

Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye (Image credit: Berita Harian)

“Denying access entirely may inadvertently limit digital literacy development and drive usage underground, making monitoring and guidance even more difficult.”

The former DAP lawmaker nevertheless stressed that there was no doubt that today’s online environment presents real risks to minors.

This includes exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, misinformation and excessive screen time could negatively affect mental health, social development and academic performance.

“Governments, therefore, have a duty to strengthen safeguards and ensure that digital platforms are accountable for user safety, particularly for children,” he noted in a statement.

As such, a more balanced approach would be to implement robust protective frameworks rather than outright prohibition, including strict age-appropriate design codes and stronger verification systems by platforms.

In this regard, Lee called for mandatory parental control tools and digital supervision features, comprehensive digital literacy education in schools, clearer legal accountability for platforms that failed to protect minors and public awareness campaigns to educate parents and guardians.

“Ultimately, the goal should not simply be to restrict access but to cultivate a generation of digitally responsible, resilient and informed young citizens,” he contended.

“Policies must therefore be guided not only by urgency but also by evidence, inclusiveness and long-term societal impact.” – Focus Malaysia