The Malaysian government is gearing up to make digital parenting a legal requirement. In a move that shifts responsibility from tech platforms to households, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will collaborate with Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to push for mandatory parental monitoring of children’s online activity.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that both entities are aligning efforts to draft and enforce legal mechanisms, with MCMC expected to play a central role given its regulatory control over social media platforms.
According to Fahmi, the Online Safety Act already gives the government teeth to take action when platforms fail to uphold safety standards. Now, that scrutiny may extend to parents themselves.
This initiative comes as part of a broader legal review spearheaded by Azalina, who recently stated that the government is considering changes to existing laws to clearly define parental responsibilities in preventing digital child abuse and neglect. One element under review is making digital safety education compulsory for parents and guardians.
