MIC will submit a proposal to the Communications Ministry on regulating the use of social media, especially TikTok, for users under the age of 18.

Senator R Nelson said he received the memorandum, submitted by the MIC Women’s Wing chief N Saraswati at the Parliament today, which focused on the effects of social media on children, and it would be presented to the Communications Ministry during the Dewan Negara meeting this week.

“They (MIC) want it to be regulated for name verification which the ministry is already discussing. Effective January, you have to register but in addition, the women’s wing is concerned about the effects (of social media) on children and students.

“The memorandum emphasises the effects of social media on them (children and students) and what the government is going to do. It’s not just about identity but who can use it and the time allocated for kids, parental control, and how can we talk about such things in the context of social media,” he told Bernama.

Nelson also said the matter requires the views of experts and the ministry to form the best solution in addition to raising responsible young social media users to prevent them from being involved in cybercrime or becoming victims of cybercrime.

Saraswati said the amount of time school students and children spend on social media is very worrying because it not only affects their academic performance but their health too.

“With the emergence of TikTok, students’ ability to learn seems worse now than before. This group can stay online for up to seven hours and it can have adverse effects on their health,” she added.

- Bernama

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