Mydigital ID Key To Enforcing 16-year-old Social Media Age Limit

By Rozainah Abdul Rahim

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- The use of MyDigital ID has been described as the most effective electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) instrument to enforce the proposed minimum age of 16 for social media use, scheduled for implementation in the second half of this year.

Siraj Jalil, president of the Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association, said a clear and robust eKYC mechanism is crucial to ensuring the government’s aim of safeguarding children online and tackling fake accounts can be achieved more efficiently.

He said MyDigital ID is well-suited for the role as it is a locally developed technology with strong security features, overseen by the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA).

“The use of MyDigital ID is appropriate as it leverages advanced technology. While some groups may disagree, MCCA fully supports this initiative.

“It enables more efficient identity verification and should be integrated into licensing requirements for social media platforms such as Meta Platforms and TikTok,” he told Bernama.

Siraj said stricter identity verification would not only prevent minors from falsifying their age but also help authorities enforce the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) more effectively against fake account holders.

On the proposed age limit, he described the initiative as a “game changer” in enhancing children’s online safety.

Commenting on Indonesia’s move to ban access to high-risk digital platforms for those under 16 starting March 28, Siraj said Malaysia is on the right track by conducting a comprehensive study ahead of its planned rollout in July.

For the record, Indonesia is the first non-Western country to implement such restrictions under its digital safety framework, known as the Tunas policy.

Meanwhile, Siraj also stressed that the policy should be supported by active parental involvement and strengthened media literacy programmes led by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

“Clear communication is essential, particularly as the policy affects school students. Effective engagement is needed to avoid misunderstandings or unfounded opposition that could undermine the government’s objectives,” he said.

On March 7, Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Teo Nie Ching said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is studying various age verification methods ahead of enforcing the minimum age requirement in the second half of the year.

The government aims for all social media platforms to implement eKYC by the end of the second quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to enforce the minimum age of 16 for account registration.

-- BERNAMA