PETALING JAYA: Young users, content creators and parents are divided over whether tighter regulation of major social media platforms will improve online safety or restrict freedom of expression, with many saying the impact will depend on how the rules are enforced and communicated.
A public relations associate from Kuala Lumpur, Deena Azuar, 26, said regulation itself was not her main concern.
“I think it could affect freedom of speech depending on how it’s implemented. Clearer regulation may improve accountability and reduce genuinely harmful content like scams, abuse or misinformation. But there’s also a risk platforms may over-moderate to avoid regulatory issues.
“For me, the concern isn’t regulation itself but whether there are clear safeguards to prevent excessive censorship,” she told theSun.
A public sector staff member from Puncak Alam, Muhammad Imran Fahmi, 25, echoed similar concerns, noting that stricter legal control could affect how openly people speak online.
“When laws give wide power to control online content, platforms may remove posts too quickly to avoid trouble and people may feel afraid to speak openly. Freedom of speech needs clear rules and fair enforcement.
“Fear of misunderstanding or punishment can make users limit what they say, which reduces open discussion,” he added.
A human resource executive from Petaling Jaya, Low Yee Dan, 25, said anonymity on social media was crucial to free expression.
“Social media is the only place where people can express views without fear of backlash because they are not identified. Taking that away is taking away freedom of speech,” he said.
From a content creator’s perspective, video editor for a local online portal Muhammad Faiz Naqiuddin, 29, said moderation systems were already imperfect.
“In some ways, it helps prevent false or misleading information from spreading across social media, ensuring only genuine and well-researched posts are published. But it also gives platforms too much power to take down content.
“For example, one of our company’s posts was removed on TikTok due to mass reporting even though we had done our research.”
Meanwhile, a mother and legal assistant from Subang Jaya, Malathy Arumugam, 49, said some level of regulation was necessary to protect children online.
“I think some regulations are helpful for filtering harmful content or preventing contact with strangers. But I don’t want them to be so strict that my child feels unable to express themselves or interact naturally with friends.
“If platforms become too controlling, children might hide what they’re doing or move to apps we don’t know about.”
