A case for raising the age of internet adulthood

fourpeople — Raising the age limit for youths to gain access to smartphones and the internet could help them shape their own expectations and responsible usage patterns. (Envato Elements pic)

This is part two of an article on the risks and impact of unsupervised digital-device use by young people, written by Chua Sook Ning and Tricia Yeoh. Read part one here.

PETALING JAYA:

The recent stabbing case at a local secondary school has brought the issue of young people’s online activities, mental health and overall well-being into the spotlight. It is time for Malaysian parents, as well as the whole of society, to approach the internet – and access to it through smartphones – with great wisdom and care.

One concrete step could be for society to agree on raising the age of “internet adulthood” to 16. This is less of an argument for the effectiveness of a social media ban, but the acknowledgement that contextual factors can hinder or help the effectiveness of parental mediation – which often feels daunting, confusing, and impossible to implement.

Common barriers to parental mediation of digital media use include adolescents’ expectations, rules set by other parents, and social norms. But if the entire village of parents collectively agrees not to provide smartphones and social media access for children under 16, this could help shape teens’ own expectations, and reduce peer pressure on both parents and children.

In the United Kingdom, a parent pact to withhold smartphones from children under 14 has been signed by signatories representing about 35,000 children. Parents are also creating “landline pods”, where children can call each other on landline phones to help them communicate and listen better.

When children eventually receive personal devices, these should be used in communal, family spaces – not in the private space of a bedroom. Adopting healthier digital media habits does not mean abolishing them completely; family movie nights, for example, allow for active interaction among family members.

For parents of children who are already accessing digital media, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 5Cs of Media Use might be useful. It encourages parents to:

think about the unique risks and benefits of digital media for their child;
know what digital activities they are engaged in and actively discuss aspects of the content with their child (such as unrealistic beauty standards or use of violence);
learn how to manage strong emotions and challenges rather than relying on avoidance or escapism;
increase real-life engagement – reducing screen time frees up time and energy to do other things;
communicate about media early and often to build digital literacy, and to help identify when their child is struggling.

In addition, digital parenting training programmes can be developed to equip mums and dads with the necessary strategies related to device use, both offline and online, to protect children’s safety. This could include the use of parental controls and content filters on all devices at home.

A feasible next step for Malaysia is to follow Australia’s eSafety Commission in offering free webinars on topics such as understanding AI companions, using parental controls, and recognising online coercive control. These webinars are essential for parents and carers to give them the knowledge, skills, and tools to provide safe digital spaces for their children.

Adopting healthier digital habits at home does not mean abolishing them altogether – children can still use their devices in communal, family spaces. (Envato Elements pic)

While parents play a central role, they cannot and should not be expected to carry this responsibility alone. Many work long hours, lack digital literacy, or feel outpaced by constantly evolving technology. They need clear guidance, accessible tools, and a supportive community to help them set boundaries, supervise use, and rebuild connection at home.

When families are backed by schools, communities, platforms and policy, they are far more able to create homes with meaningful conversations, screen-free time, outdoor and free play, and opportunities for children to lead in real life rather than escape into virtual worlds.

Hence, this is not just a parenting issue – it is a societal responsibility. If we act together, we can protect childhood, strengthen families, and prevent the mental health crisis from deepening. Our children should not have to pay the price for our collective inaction.

And now is the time for us to act. The research is clear, the risks are visible, and we can no longer claim ignorance or inevitability. What we now need is alignment.

If parents, educators, policymakers and technology companies each take responsibility for their part, we can create healthier social and digital norms, and overall safer environments for our young people.

This article was written by Chua Sook Ning, clinical psychologist and public health practitioner, lecturer and founder of Relate Malaysia, and Tricia Yeoh, public policy analyst, social science lecturer and advisor for Relate Malaysia.

This article was originally published on makchic.com, a Malaysian-based online parenting site. Since 2013, makchic has been providing trustworthy and authentic family-related content. For diverse stories of parenthood that inform, support and uplift all families, visit makchic.com and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

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A case for raising the age of internet adulthood

In part two of an article on the impact of digital devices and online spaces, all levels of society are called to act to safeguard the well-being of young Malaysians.