THE government proposal to ban social media use for Malaysians under 16 from next year has ignited broad public discussion expressing sharply differing views.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the move is being considered to protect minors from online dangers including bullying, scams and child sexual abuse.
Sarawak Tribune spoke to several individuals to get their views.
Irvina Joan, 23, Executive:
I support the ban to protect children from online predators and harmful content, but it isn’t enough on its own. Children can bypass it using others’ accounts.
Real safety requires digital education, parental supervision, and guidance on responsible online behaviour.
Awang Muhammad Zahir,16, secondary school student:
As a 16-year-old, I feel worried and frustrated about the idea of banning social media in Malaysia. For people my age, social media isn’t just for fun — it’s how we learn, communicate, and stay updated. Taking it away feels like losing an important part of our daily lives. I understand there are issues like scams and cyberbullying, but banning everything won’t solve those problems. People will just look for other risky ways to go online.
Instead of a full ban, I think the government should focus on digital education and better safety measures. Social media helps us with schoolwork, group projects, and expressing our opinions. It gives young people a voice, and removing it feels unfair. What we need is guidance and protection, not a rule that cuts us off from the world.
Mohammad Amirul Adib, 17, secondary school student:
Instead of banning it, I think the government should focus on teaching digital responsibility and creating better systems to protect users. Issues like online scams and harmful content are real, but they can be managed with stronger regulations and awareness programmes.
Removing social media entirely won’t solve these problems — it will just silence young voices and limit our access to information. We need safer online spaces, not a blanket ban that punishes everyone.
Sharon Teo, 44, Senior Manager, Administration and Human Resources:
I believe with the introduction of the social media ban for youth under 16 years old, it will help to reverse the deterioration of vital communication skills among youth. Excessive social media use replaces face-to-face interaction with text-based, often superficial, digital exchanges.
This addiction prevents children from developing critical real-world skills like reading non-verbal cues, understanding tone of voice, managing conflict constructively, and exercising empathy.
By reducing digital reliance, the ban will compel adolescents to engage in authentic social settings, which are crucial for building robust interpersonal competence necessary for academic and future professional success.
Nasheda Alencia Nyarep, 27, Admin:
I do agree with the initiative to ban social media use among individuals under the age of 16, as it can help to reduce their exposure to harmful or inappropriate content commonly found on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, which the young generation always use.
Implementing such a measure would also help minimise the risk of young users becoming victims of online harassment. As we are all aware, viral trends among social media users often encourage impulsive sharing and public shaming may lead to the emotional harm of those targeted and potentially result in feelings of inferiority. Social media should not be a cause of trauma, rather, it should function as a tool for education and positive engagement.
Furthermore, I am interested in understanding how the Malaysian government plans to introduce this initiative and manage the massive volume of public opinion regarding the proposed ban on social media access,especially from users under 16.
