Minister stresses stronger enforcement as underage users bypass weak verification systems.
Malaysia’s Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has demanded that TikTok implement stronger mechanisms to block users under 13, after existing safeguards failed to prevent children from accessing the platform.
Weak Enforcement on Age Restrictions
Fahmi revealed that TikTok’s current system has been ineffective in keeping children below 13 off the platform, despite its own community guidelines prohibiting them. During school visits, he observed Year One pupils using TikTok accounts, highlighting a gap between policy and enforcement.
Coordination With Authorities
The minister said TikTok has been directed to work with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to develop stronger enforcement. A timeline and clear mechanisms must be established to ensure compliance.
Possible Solutions on the Table
Among the measures proposed are the introduction of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification, alongside restrictions on certain features, such as commenting and sharing until identity verification is completed. These steps, Fahmi argued, would help curb underage access more effectively.
No Plans to Ban TikTok
While firm in his stance, Fahmi emphasized that the government does not intend to block TikTok in Malaysia. Instead, legal action may be reviewed if the platform fails to comply with regulatory demands and continues weak enforcement.
Summoned Over Fake News Cases
On Tuesday, TikTok’s management was summoned to Bukit Aman over delays in cooperating with police investigations into fake news. One cited example involved a user falsely claiming to be a surgeon in the Zara Qairina Mahathir case. Authorities stressed that such cases highlighted the urgency of stronger cooperation.
Safeguarding Digital Spaces for Children
Fahmi’s directive reflects growing concerns across Southeast Asia about online child safety. For countries like Indonesia and Singapore, where TikTok also dominates youth engagement, Malaysia’s push for stricter controls could influence regional approaches to online child protection.
Malaysia’s move to demand stronger verification from TikTok underlines the broader challenge of regulating global platforms while safeguarding children online. With Southeast Asia’s rapidly growing digital landscape, the outcome of this directive could set a precedent for how governments in the region balance innovation with responsibility.
Sources: Malaysiakini (2025) , Bernama (2025)
Keywords: TikTok, Underage Users, Malaysia Regulation, Fahmi Fadzil, Social Media Safety, Online Verification
