In a bold move to protect minors online, Malaysia announced this week it will enforce mandatory age verification for all social media users. The new policy aims to shield those under 13 from cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and data privacy risks – a growing concern for parents worldwide. 🌐
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the need for 'digital guardianship,' stating platforms like TikTok and Instagram must implement robust age-check systems by early 2025. While details remain scarce, officials suggest methods could range from AI-powered facial recognition to partnerships with national ID databases. 🔍
This comes as Southeast Asia sees record youth social media adoption, with 76% of Malaysian teens online daily. Critics argue verification tools might compromise privacy, but cybersecurity expert Dr. Aisha Lim counters: 'We’re trading convenience for safety – it’s the price of parenting in the algorithm age.' 👩💻
Malaysia joins South Korea and Japan in Asia’s tech-regulation race. Could this spark a global trend? For now, Gen Z’s take is clear: one viral meme jokingly asked, 'Does this mean I need a fake ID for memes now?' 😂
