THE Malaysian government is stepping up its efforts to safeguard children in the digital world with a groundbreaking legislative proposal.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is partnering with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, on a new law that will emphasize greater parental responsibility in monitoring children’s internet use.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil highlighted recently that discussions will focus on developing effective enforcement mechanisms.
With its regulatory authority over digital platforms, the MCMC is well-positioned to contribute its expertise.
“Social media platforms are licensed by the MCMC, and based on that licensing, we are able to take action,” Minister Fahmi said, adding that the MCMC can support the Law Minister in crafting legal provisions that hold both parents and platforms accountable for child safety.
This initiative is part of a broader government drive to strengthen protections for children online, especially in combating abuse and sexual exploitation.
The proposed legal changes aim to make it compulsory for parents to supervise their children’s digital activity and encourage their involvement in online safety education.
This reflects a vital principle: shared responsibility in shielding our younger generations from the increasing threat of digital-age crimes.
Datuk Seri Azalina recently underscored Malaysia’s commitment to this cause in her keynote address at the Tashkent Law Spring International Legal Forum 2025.
Her presentation, titled “Creating a Safer Digital Future: Malaysia’s Legislative Approach to Online Child Protection,” stressed the critical need to future-proof our laws against emerging risks.
She cautioned that while technologies like Artificial Intelligence offer immense benefits, they also unfortunately create new avenues for exploitation.
“The digital future must not only be smarter but also safer, more humane and fair to all levels of society, especially children,” she said.