NO new laws will be introduced to limit the age of social media users, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Instead, he said the government will focus on regulating platforms through licensing, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
“After the implementation of social media platform licensing starting Jan 1 next year, we intend to emphasise compliance with the platforms’ existing community guidelines.
“Platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram already restrict account creation to users aged 13 and above. Our focus will be on how these platforms verify users’ ages to ensure compliance,” he said.
However, he said the government aims to understand why children continue to use these platforms despite rules explicitly prohibiting it.
On November 28, Australia passed a law banning social media access for children under 16, following a heated national debate.
The law forces platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million (RM139.7 million). A trial of methods to enforce it will start in January with the ban to take effect in a year.
Fahmi also brushed off claims that the proposed amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 are vague, insisting that the improvements are comprehensive and significant.
He urged critics to carefully examine the draft bill available on the Parliament website.
He reassured the public that the amendment would protect Malaysians' freedom of speech, making it not only guaranteed but defended. - December 8, 2024
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