Restrictions on direct messaging (DM) and profile search functions for users under the age of 16 are being considered as part of Malaysia’s broader efforts to strengthen online child protection and combat cyber predators.
The proposed measures are seen as a key element of an age verification system following recent police operations, including Ops Cyber Guardian, which uncovered nearly 500,000 files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Malaysian Cyber Consumer Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil said disabling DM and search access for unknown accounts would create a stronger digital barrier, preventing strangers from initiating contact with minors online.
He said such safeguards would act as a “gatekeeping” mechanism, stopping unsolicited communication before any interaction can take place, which is often how online grooming begins.
Siraj also argued that mandatory age verification could remove anonymity that has long protected cyber offenders, adding that requiring identity checks such as official documents or biometric data would create accountability and deter criminal behaviour.
He further said that verified age systems would allow platforms to better filter harmful content and strengthen cooperation with law enforcement by providing clearer digital records for investigations.
However, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) computer science senior lecturer Dr Mohd Izuan Hafez Ninggal cautioned that the effectiveness of such measures would depend heavily on implementation.
He noted that existing self-declared age systems are easily manipulated and warned that predators often do not rely on profile information, instead targeting victims through direct communication.
Dr Mohd Izuan also stressed the need for stronger legal frameworks to ensure social media platforms are fully accountable for algorithm controls and user safety mechanisms.
The government had earlier announced plans to restrict new social media accounts for users under 16, with Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stating that implementation could begin as early as mid-year.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching previously said that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is currently reviewing various age verification methods ahead of the rollout of the proposed restriction.
