Isa, Rafidah and Noordin, Mohamad Fauzan and Kamaruzaman, Nurul Nadhrah and Rodzoan, Muhammad Asyraf and Kamaruzzaman, Muhammad Afiq Ammar (2026) Child centred digital governance: policy implications of a 16 year social media age threshold in Malaysia. Journal of International Commercial Law and Technology, 7 (1). pp. 1479-1492. ISSN 1901-8401
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Abstract
This study evaluates the rationale, governance implications, and implementation challenges of Malaysia's proposed minimum age of 16 years for independent social media access. Malaysia presents a compound digital risk environment characterised by high internet penetration, elevated rates of youth mental health distress, and widespread cyberbullying victimisation. The study employs a conceptual policy analysis methodology, synthesising interdisciplinary evidence through three analytical stages: a developmental neuroscience review establishing cognitive thresholds relevant to age-based regulation; a psychosocial risk assessment drawing on Malaysian national data; and a comparative policy analysis of regulatory frameworks in the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. Findings confirm that the proposed 16 year threshold constitutes an evidence-informed precautionary measure aligned with international regulatory precedent. Platform vulnerabilities which include algorithmic amplification, persuasive engagement mechanics, weak age-assurance systems, and compulsive design features exploit the underdeveloped executive functions of younger adolescents. Implementation risks are identified, including weak age-verification infrastructure, socio-economic disparities in digital literacy, and potential circumvention behaviours. The study proposes the Child-Centred Digital Governance (CCDG) framework, a three-tiered model integrating structural platform accountability through the Online Safety Act and 2026 Regulatory Sandboxes, behavioural resilience through digital citizenship education, and adaptive policy monitoring. Within this framework, the age threshold functions as a policy anchor within a broader socio-technical governance ecosystem designed to balance child protection with participatory rights.
| Item Type: | Article (Journal) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | child well-being; social media governance; age threshold; digital safety; Malaysia; platform accountability |
| Subjects: | T Technology > T Technology (General) |
| Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): | Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology > Department of Information System Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology > Department of Information System Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology |
| Depositing User: | Dr Rafidah Isa |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Jul 2026 11:50 |
| Last Update: | 10 Jul 2026 11:50 |
| Queue Number: | 2026-06-Q3860 |
| URI: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129644 |
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