KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — A senator has proposed that social media service providers be fined RM100 million if they fail to comply with the minimum age policy of 16 years for opening new accounts.
Datuk Seri Vell Paari Samy Vellu said it was time for the government to take firm action, in line with Australia's move to impose fines of up to AU$50 million (RM136.5 million) on any company that does not comply with the relevant regulations.
The proposal accounts for the billions of ringgit in profits made by social media companies, as well as the urgent need to protect children from harmful content online.
“If the fine is too low, they (platform operators) will not be deterred. They can pay the fine and continue to commit the same offence," he said while debating the Supply Bill (Budget 2026) in the Dewan Negara today.
Vell Paari added that the lack of control over users' age makes children easily exposed to various risks, including online fraud, cyberbullying, extreme content, and manipulation through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
“Social media and AI are like knives. They can be used for education, business, and communication, but without control, they can be damaging and harmful to children's minds," he said.
Last week, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the government aims to have all social media platforms implement digital user identity verification (eKYC) by the end of the second quarter of 2026 to enforce a minimum age limit of 16 for account creation.
The move aims to protect children from online exploitation, with joint discussions with agencies and social media platforms having begun.
Meanwhile, Senator Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman also urged the government to take more decisive action to control social media content, including TikTok and Instagram, which are reportedly becoming increasingly challenging to manage due to commercial algorithms that promote inappropriate content.
"If there are no laws to take action against this advertising, we are concerned that technology will erode our children's identity and discipline, leading them to worse things, starting from just 'wanting to try'.
"I urge the Minister of Communications to give serious attention to this issue," he said.
The Dewan Negara session will resume tomorrow.
