KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is developing 10 subsidiary legislations under the Online Safety Act 2025 (Act 866), focusing on issues related to online child protection, including ensuring that content is appropriate for child users based on their age.
The Communications Ministry said that under subsidiary regulations, service providers will be responsible for ensuring their platforms are not accessible to users under 16. They will also be required to ensure that content shown to users under 18 is appropriate for their age group.
“In addition, service providers must offer parental control settings in line with their community guidelines or terms of use,” it said in a written reply published on the official Parliament website, in response to Labis MP Pang Hok Liong.
He had asked whether the ministry was prepared to introduce legislation to restrict or prohibit youths under the age of 16 from using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others.
It added that to ensure transparency and accountability in meeting online safety obligations, service providers will be required to prepare an online safety plan demonstrating compliance with the requirements of Act 866.
Several related laws have been enacted and enforced, including licensing requirements for Internet messaging and social media service providers that meet the licensing criteria to apply for and obtain the Class Application Service Provider Licence [ASP(C)] under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“This measure ensures that all licensed Internet messaging and social media service providers remain accountable in terms of content regulation and algorithm management,” said the ministry.
To support the licensing framework, MCMC has issued a Code of Conduct (Best Practices) for Internet Messaging Service Providers and Social Media Service Providers.
It outlines service providers' responsibilities to safeguard children and adolescents from harmful content, including requirements to implement age-verification measures, provide effective parental-control settings, and empower child users to protect themselves from harmful content.
In addition, the government enacted Act 866 to regulate harmful content and impose obligations on licensed application service providers, content application service providers, and network service providers.
