The #ThinkTwice Parent Guide was officially launched today, aimed at helping Malaysian parents strengthen the digital safety of teenagers through a joint initiative between TikTok, the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (Content Forum) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
In a statement, TikTok said the guide forms part of its ongoing #ThinkTwice digital literacy campaign, which emphasises a community-based and evidence-driven approach to online safety.
The campaign highlights the shared responsibility between parents, digital platforms and policymakers, while upholding children’s rights to access information, express their views, protect their privacy and enjoy freedom of thought.
Content Forum CEO Mediha Mahmood stressed that digital wellbeing begins at home, as teenagers’ online habits are shaped by their family environment.
“Online safety shouldn’t mean restricting teens from digital spaces. The internet is simply a reflection of real-world issues,” she said.
“Good habits start at home. Parents must be empowered to nurture creativity while instilling caution, encouraging healthy routines and building meaningful conversations with their teens.”
TikTok Malaysia’s Head of Public Policy, Firdaus Fadzil, said the challenges teens face today—such as bullying, peer pressure, mental health struggles and harmful behaviours—are not new, but parental guidance remains essential.
“Parents and guardians are the primary guides because they understand their children best. We want to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to raise a responsible digital generation,” he said.
Firdaus added that the #ThinkTwice guide supports active parental involvement by promoting the use of TikTok’s built-in safety features, aligned with global research findings.
MCMC, in the same statement, said the guide complements its Internet Safe Campaign and supports national efforts to build a safer and more responsible digital ecosystem.
According to the commission, platforms like TikTok play a crucial role in protecting users while ensuring children’s rights to access information and express their views in age-appropriate ways—consistent with Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening online safety standards.
Initiatives such as #ThinkTwice, it said, provide families with practical tools and awareness to ensure Malaysian teens can explore, learn and connect online confidently and safely.
Three Key Tips in the #ThinkTwice Parent Guide
1. Monitor Your Teen’s Digital Activity
Using TikTok’s Family Pairing feature, parents can link their accounts to their teen’s to track uploads, receive notifications and monitor screen time via the Screen Time Dashboard.
TikTok also automatically sets private accounts for users under 16 and prohibits accounts for children below 13.
2. Adjust Settings Based on Your Teen’s Needs
Parents can set screen time limits, disable notifications, choose between public or private accounts, manage direct messages and customise content frequency via Manage Topics.
3. Start Conversations About Digital Literacy
Parents are encouraged to maintain open discussions about online trends, risks or uncomfortable experiences, while teaching teens how to block users, report issues and engage safely online.
Through the #ThinkTwice knowledge hub, parents can also access resources on fraud prevention, mental wellbeing and digital literacy to strengthen teens’ online judgment and resilience.
