THE government’s proposal to establish a minimum age of 16 for social media use in the second half of this year has been met with widespread approval, with many members of the public and digital experts welcoming the move as a crucial step to protect young people from the potential harms of the online world.
A survey conducted by Harian Metro indicated that the majority of respondents believe the age limit will help adolescents develop greater maturity in assessing online content, while shielding them from increasingly concerning social issues that proliferate on digital platforms.
Ruzaini Ramli, a 38-year-old IT consultant, described the initiative as timely, noting that it ensures only those who are sufficiently mature can access social media.
“Users aged 16 and above are typically capable of distinguishing between accurate and misleading information. Even though vast amounts of information are at their fingertips, not all content is beneficial, and users must be able to filter it wisely,” he said.
He added that younger teens are particularly susceptible to negative influences, including cyberbullying, offensive language, and other social challenges prevalent on online platforms.
“Cybersecurity is also a key factor, as older users better understand the importance of protecting personal data from exposure,” Ruzaini noted.
Noor Syafina Bukhari, 38, a general manager, echoed this view, emphasising that younger adolescents often lack the ability to critically evaluate the accuracy of information. “At this age, they may wish to appear aware of current issues but are not fully capable of distinguishing fake news from genuine reporting.
“This can adversely affect their thinking and behaviour. Teens are also easily influenced by global trends, which can sometimes be harmful and unsuitable for their personal development,” she said.
For parents, the proposed age threshold is seen as an effective measure to shield adolescents from social pressures and inappropriate content that could undermine emotional and mental development.
Nurliana Mazlan, a 38-year-old homemaker, said, “Young people are still developing and are more vulnerable to cyberbullying and external influence.
“Setting an age limit allows them to build social skills face-to-face first. Excessive social media use can also impact academic performance, sleep patterns, and physical health.”
She stressed, however, that the age restriction must be complemented by digital literacy education and parental oversight.
“Without guidance, teens may attempt to access social media unlawfully. Cooperation between schools, families, and the government is essential,” Nurliana added.
Indonesia recently became the first non-Western nation to impose similar restrictions, limiting access to high-risk digital platforms for children under 16, a policy that came into effect yesterday.
Earlier, Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil highlighted the necessity of the age limit to protect children and adolescents from exploitation and exposure to unsuitable online material.
The measure is viewed as a proactive effort by the government to ensure that the younger generation grows up in a safer and more controlled digital environment. - March 29, 2026
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