KUCHING: The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum (the Content Forum) fully supports Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s call, echoing a warning from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) urging parents to ensure children under 13 do not own any social media accounts.
It said such a requirement is also in line with the position taken by most social media platforms.
“Content Forum also underscores the importance for parents and guardians to ensure that children are only given access to devices and online content under appropriate supervision and monitoring,” it said in a statement on Monday (April 22).
It added that as mentioned by Fahmi, it is crucial for parents to take responsibility in safeguarding their children from the risks and threats present on social media.
“Ensuring children under 13 do not have any social media accounts is essential because children under 13 may not fully comprehend the risks involved in using social media.
“Without proper supervision, they can fall victim to unsafe activities such as scams, cyberbullying or harmful interactions.”
Content Forum added that social media trends and challenges can also pose risks to children who fear missing out and desire to become viral, whereby some of these trends are highly dangerous, and parents may not be aware of their existence.
“Children may be exposed to inappropriate or distressing content, such as violence, explicit imagery or hateful messages, which can have negative effects on their emotional and psychological development.”
It then said children are more likely to share personal information openly on social media platforms because they do not yet understand the dangers and risks that may arise.
“Thus, this can open the door to privacy breaches or sharing information to those with malicious intent.”
On April 21, it was previously reported that MCMC has reminded parents to ensure that their children under 13 do not own any social media accounts.
Fahmi said this was because the commission found that it was not appropriate for children under 13 to use any social media.
“To parents who are here tonight, I relay a warning from the MCMC, children under 13 are not permitted to own TikTok, Facebook, Instagram or any other social media account.
“Should there be such a case (of children under 13 having social media accounts), parents please inform me, the MCMC… we will shut down the account,” he said at the Lembah Pantai Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at IWK Eco Park@Lembah Pantai.
