KUCHING: The June 1 rollout of mandatory age verification signals a shift towards greater accountability among technology companies in ensuring the safety of younger users online.
Early Childhood Education lecturer Khairunnisa Asri from Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Tun Abdul Razak Campus said this shift is significant for the digital ecosystem as it encourages social media platforms to take greater responsibility for the safety of younger users, while also promoting the development of more ethical and child-friendly technologies.
She said the policy reflects a more comprehensive approach to protecting the younger generation in the digital age by recognising that children’s online safety is a shared responsibility among parents, governments, educational institutions and technology companies.
“In the long term, this measure could help build a healthier and more responsible digital culture by reducing early exposure to social media, allowing children to focus on developing face-to-face communication skills, strengthening family relationships, and engaging in more age-appropriate educational and social activities.
“The policy also offers clearer support for parents in managing their children’s online behaviour, especially when many have struggled to set boundaries due to peer pressure and widespread digital usage among youths.
“With clearer guidelines in place, parents can carry out monitoring and supervision more effectively,” she told Sarawak Tribune on Wednesday.
However, she cautioned that the effectiveness of the policy depends heavily on consistent implementation across platforms, as well as strong cooperation from all stakeholders involved.
She stressed that children’s digital safety should not be viewed as the responsibility of parents alone, but also of governments, educational institutions, and technology companies.
“In my view, the main challenge is not limited to technology alone but also involves public awareness of the importance of children’s digital safety.
“Therefore, education and awareness programmes for parents, teachers, and communities must progress alongside the implementation of the policy to ensure that all parties understand its purpose and significance.
“I believe that with advancements in technology, as well as the commitment of governments and digital platform providers, age verification systems will continue to be strengthened over time,” she said.
She expressed optimism that with advancing technology and continued commitment from governments and digital platform providers, age verification systems will be strengthened over time, with child protection remaining the central priority.
“I believe this policy has the potential to reduce exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and other negative influences that may affect their development,” she said.
She added that the policy presents an opportunity to strengthen digital literacy education among children and adolescents.
“In a world increasingly shaped by technology, young people need guidance not only in using technology but also in understanding their responsibilities and ethical conduct within digital spaces,” she added.
She said age verification should be part of a broader strategy to prepare younger generations to navigate the digital world in a mature and responsible manner, supported by education on cybersecurity, media literacy, critical thinking, and digital citizenship in schools.
“As an educator, I believe that the primary objective of this policy is not to distance children from technology, but to ensure that they are introduced to the digital world according to their developmental stage and level of maturity
“This policy is not merely a form of access control but a long-term investment in raising children who are more balanced, ethical, and prepared to face the challenges of the digital world,” she said.
