Parents to control online accounts for under-16s, says Fahmi

 The communications minister says minors cannot open their own accounts to protect them from online safety risks.

Fahmi Fadzil said if an account is opened by the parents, they will know if unknown individuals try to contact their children. (Envato Elements pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Children under the age of 16 will not be allowed to open their own social media accounts, although accounts managed by parents on behalf of their children are permitted, communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

He said the measure aims to protect minors from online safety risks, including cyber predators who may attempt to contact children through various social media platforms, Bernama reported.

“The key issue is who controls the account. We do not want children controlling the accounts themselves.

“If the account is opened by the parents, at least they will know if unknown individuals try to contact their children,” he told a press conference after the Sejahtera Madani Welfare Programme: Sumbangan Ihsan Kasih Ramadan 2026 in Kuala Lumpur today.

Fahmi said the government is currently implementing a regulatory sandbox with social media platforms to introduce a minimum age limit of 16 for new account registrations.

He said Malaysia’s approach differs from Australia’s “Age Assurance” model, with the country leveraging specific legislation relating to the MyKad as an additional security element for identity and age verification.

“Children can still watch content such as on YouTube, but they cannot open their own accounts as personal accounts allow unknown individuals to contact them,” he said.

He also urged parents to be more attentive to their children’s digital activities and not allow them to use devices for extended periods without supervision.

“Devices are not babysitters. Parents have the responsibility to monitor their children,” he said.

The implementation of a minimum age requirement of 16 for social media use is expected to be enforced as early as July. - FMT