Online age verification must include digital education, says MCCA

 Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association president Siraj Jalil says broader explanations and engagement sessions are necessary.

The age verification mechanism aims to ensure those under 16 cannot own social media accounts.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Implementing the age verification mechanism under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Onsa) requires comprehensive digital education efforts to ensure users, especially young people, understand cyberspace risks and challenges.

Malaysia Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said the association supports the government’s move to introduce the mechanism to prevent underage children from owning social media accounts, but its implementation must include broader explanations and engagement sessions.

“We agree with the age verification mechanism because social media platforms have long set age guidelines, but there has never been a truly effective method to ensure that ages are not falsified.

“The government is introducing this method so that children under the age of 16 cannot own social media accounts,” he said while appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme tonight.

Siraj said the government should organise phased dialogue sessions across various levels of society to ensure the public understands the rationale behind the policy implementation and to avoid misunderstandings.

He said education on safe internet and social media usage should be instilled from an early stage because knowledge is the key factor in shaping responsible digital users.

“Education is important so that when young people reach the permitted age to own social media accounts, they will not face culture shock and will be better prepared to use digital platforms safely,” he added.

Siraj also reminded parents to play their role as informal educators by improving their understanding of cybersecurity before guiding their children in using digital technology.

“Parental readiness is very important. If even basic safety practices are not applied, how can they protect their children on the internet? That is why understanding must be built, and the government needs to ensure its communication channels are improved,” he said.

Effective June 1, users of social media platforms will be required to upload official government-issued documents for age verification purposes following the implementation of two new codes under the Onsa.

The two codes introduced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are the Child Protection Code (CPC) and the Risk Mitigation Code (RMC), aimed at preventing individuals under 16 from opening social media accounts. - FMT