KUANTAN – Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said today that TikTok account ownership by children under the age of 13 is among the issues being considered to be raised with the management of the social media platform.
He expressed concern about this age group owning TikTok accounts, noting the TikTok community guidelines, which explicitly state that users must be 13 years of age or older to have an account.
“However, based on observation, including in my constituency (Lembah Pantai), many primary school children have TikTok accounts. This is a very worrying situation.
“There are some unhealthy trends that we see spreading on social media, including TikTok, and children can be easily influenced. I think we need to monitor what children are browsing when they are on the internet.
“We may also have to call TikTok management to get an explanation for the enforcement (of their guidelines),” he told reporters after paying a courtesy call to Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail at Wisma Sri Pahang today.
Also present were Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching and Communication Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa.
Aside from that, Fahmi stated that he will consult with the attorney general to determine whether it is necessary to take legal action against TikTok’s management regarding account ownership by children, as other countries have done.
When asked if TikTok had improved since its operational compliance with Malaysian laws was reported to be unsatisfactory, Fahmi said, “They have improved, but certain actions (to be taken) are being studied together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.”
Fahmi said these actions are necessary following rampant misuse of the social media platform, including in issues related to the culture of extremism and takfirism, which could jeopardise national harmony. – February 2, 2024