Teen safety is increasingly a priority in the era of digital platform usage. Recognizing this importance, Meta Malaysia recently organized a roundtable session with the media to discuss the company's commitment to protecting teens while in cyberspace.
According to Meta, the main protection is provided through the implementation of the Teen Accounts feature which is now fully available in Malaysia for Facebook, Instagram and Messenger.
Teen accounts are set to the strictest security level by default with two age categories, namely 13–15 years old who require additional protection while 16–17 years old are given more autonomy.
For users under 16 years old, any changes to privacy settings require parental permission and 97% of them maintain the original settings. This proves the effectiveness of the measure in reducing digital risks.
At the same time, this measure is also in line with previous government recommendations which stipulate that children under 16 years old are not allowed to open personal social media accounts but can only use accounts managed by their parents.
Meta has also introduced additional security measures to support parental concerns. These include automatically setting teen accounts as private, allowing messages only from individuals they follow, and blocking messages from strangers. A filter for profanity and obscene symbols is also enabled by default, while a screen time reminder will appear after 60 minutes of use.
In addition, teens are protected from messages from strangers while important aspects such as relationships, content, and screen time are comprehensively managed through the Teen Accounts feature. It combines various security features into a default experience, thus making the use of digital platforms safer for teens and providing peace of mind for parents.
Not only that, a sleep mode function has also been introduced to stop notifications between 10 pm and 7 am. At the same time, teens are prohibited from making live broadcasts. Meta also uses an automatic content control system to detect messages with indecent elements, thus adding a layer of security.
In terms of age verification, Meta uses a layered approach that includes age verification during registration, user reports, content review, and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Verification options also include the use of identification documents or other appropriate methods.
Meanwhile, regarding privacy and advertising, Meta explained that teenagers under 18 years old cannot be targeted for ads based on their interests or personal data. Instead, ads can only be targeted based on age and general location. The content displayed is based on age rating guidelines similar to the film category system.
To support parents, Meta provides a Family Center that brings together controls, educational guidance and information on child usage. Through this center, parents can monitor and approve certain settings more easily, thus making teenagers' digital experiences safer and more controlled.
Meta emphasizes that the safety of teenagers cannot rely solely on banning applications because this step risks encouraging them to switch to other less secure platforms. Instead, a comprehensive ecosystem approach with age verification at an early stage is considered more effective. Among the recommendations highlighted is that age verification should be done when the phone is first set up through the Apple or Google App Store, thus reducing the burden on parents.
Finally, Meta emphasizes the importance of working with regulators such as MCMC to ensure more comprehensive teen safety. They also refer to examples of age verification implementation in Brazil and several states in the United States as a reference to strengthen this effort. Meta’s goal is to help parents feel more secure by ensuring that teens’ safety is set by default, without the need for excessive intervention.
In conclusion, Meta’s approach through Teen Accounts, a layered age verification system, privacy and ad controls, and additional support through Family Center, demonstrates a comprehensive effort to protect teens in the digital space. With features like Sleep Mode, live broadcast bans, and message controls, Meta emphasizes technical protection while striking a balance between safety and teen freedom.
