Alliance For A Safe Community chairman advocates for a balanced, multi-stakeholder approach over blanket social media bans for minors, emphasising education and platform accountability.
KUALA LUMPUR: Ensuring children’s safety online is a shared responsibility that must involve governments, technology companies, schools and parents.
Alliance For A Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said a collaborative approach allows young people to benefit from the digital world without being overwhelmed by its risks.
He was commenting on proposals to ban social media access for individuals below the age of 16.
“A blanket ban may not necessarily be the most effective or sustainable solution,” Lee said in a statement.
He argued that responsible social media use can be an important tool for communication, creativity, learning, and social connection.
Denying access entirely could limit digital literacy development and drive usage underground, making monitoring more difficult.
Lee acknowledged that the online environment presents real risks to minors.
Exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, misinformation and excessive screen time can negatively affect mental health and development.
“Governments, therefore, have a duty to strengthen safeguards and ensure that digital platforms are accountable for user safety, particularly for children,” he said.
He advocated for robust protective frameworks over outright prohibition.
This should include strict age-appropriate design codes and stronger verification systems by platforms.
Lee also called for mandatory parental control tools and comprehensive digital literacy education in schools.
He emphasised the need for clearer legal accountability for platforms that fail to protect minors.
Public awareness campaigns to educate parents and guardians are also essential.
“Ultimately, the goal should not simply be to restrict access, but to cultivate a generation of digitally responsible, resilient, and informed young citizens,” he added.
Lee concluded that policies must be guided by evidence, inclusiveness, and long-term societal impact.
