THE government is considering increasing the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 16 in a bid to bolster online safety for minors, particularly in light of growing concerns over the impact of digital platforms on schoolchildren.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, confirmed that discussions are underway and that the proposal will be refined in consultation with social media companies.
“I believe the matter has already been discussed by the Cabinet. As mentioned by the Minister of Communications, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, the proposed age limit is under 16,” she said during a press conference following the handover ceremony of the new Pengerang Court Complex in Kota Tinggi today.
“However, the government will continue discussions with the platforms. The positive development is that we already have the Online Harms Act, which was drafted with the MCMC and legal departments. This legislation will strengthen oversight of social media platforms when directed by the government,” she added.
Fahmi had earlier stated that age verification would involve official government documents, and that the issue would be part of upcoming discussions between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and digital platform providers in Singapore next week.
The proposal follows mounting public concern over harmful online content, especially after the recent fatal stabbing of a 16-year-old student by a 14-year-old peer at a school in Petaling Jaya.
To further enhance child protection, the government will introduce a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) specifically for cases involving minors. The SOP is set to be launched on 24 October at the Federal Court in Putrajaya.
“The Chief Justice and Chief Judge of Malaya have agreed that cases involving children must be prioritised. The SOP aims to resolve such cases—whether the child is a victim or perpetrator—within a year,” said Azalina.
She noted that delays in child-related cases were often due to postponements, judicial resource constraints and logistical issues.
The new SOP will include provisions for differentiated court procedures for juvenile offenders, and specialised handling of child victims and witnesses, particularly in sexual crimes. Dedicated child-friendly facilities have already been set up in courts.
“We’ve also introduced mobile testimony vans to accelerate the process of gathering evidence from children. These vans are especially helpful for those unable to attend court on their own or who require arrangements outside school hours,” she said.
“Delays often lead to victims refusing to testify once they become adults due to shame or trauma. This is what we hope to prevent,” Azalina added. - October 18, 2025
