New regulations are being implemented in several countries to ensure the safety of children on social media platforms. The steps taken in this direction aim to protect children's online experiences and prevent their exposure to harmful content. Such measures cover various aspects related to children's use of social media platforms.
Redaksiya reports that the Malaysian government is also preparing to take serious steps in this area. The country's Minister of Communications and Digital, Fahmi, announced that children under the age of 16 will be prohibited from opening social media accounts starting from 2026. This decision is part of the measures taken to strengthen children's online safety.
In Australia, stricter measures are being taken against social media platforms. Under new legislation, several global social media platforms, including "Facebook", "TikTok", "Snapchat", "Reddit", "Instagram", and "X", will face fines of up to approximately 33 million dollars if they fail to comply with the law starting from December 10. These fines will be applied if platforms do not take the necessary measures to ensure children's safety.
It is emphasized that the ban to be implemented in Malaysia is consistent with the provisions of the "Online Safety Act," which will come into force on January 1. Minister Fahmi urged parents to monitor their children's interactions with devices. This is crucial for parents to be aware of their children's online activities and protect them from potential dangers.
He also noted the importance of all platforms conducting age verification when user accounts are created. This verification is intended to be carried out through official identity cards or passports. This will help accurately determine children's ages and prevent their use of platforms that are not suitable for their legally defined age limit.
Fahmi stated that Australia's age restriction for social media users could serve as a lesson for Malaysia's implementation. This means that countries can learn from each other's experiences and apply best practices to ensure children's safety on social media platforms. Such measures are crucial for ensuring the safety of children in the online environment.