Malaysian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have sent an open letter to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim protesting against the proposed social media ban for under-16s and mandatory e-KYC for all users in Malaysia.
More than 80 (CSOs) and individuals have urged the government to withdraw the proposed social media ban for under-16s, arguing that the measure is ineffective, disproportionate, and threatens fundamental rights including privacy and freedom of expression.
The ban is considered problematic because it does not address the real causes of digital harm with risks to children stemming from platform design, exploitative business models, and data collection practices rather than simply the presence of children on the platform.
It is also inconsistent with the rights of the child (UNCRC) which include the right to access information, expression, privacy, and digital participation. A blanket ban could widen the digital divide. More worryingly, a ban would only cause children to move to unregulated platforms or the far more dangerous dark web.
Therefore, the CSO recommends withdrawing the proposed ban and conducting a public consultation. Comprehensive platform controls, in line with the constitution and international human rights. Long-term solutions are also proposed through continued engagement with communities and experts, digital literacy and critical thinking education, and access to mental health support.
