“For now, there is no such decision on this (penalising parents) at the ministerial or Cabinet level,” deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching told the Dewan Rakyat when asked about the matter.

“But for issues like these, discussions and consensus are very important. We will be firm when we discuss this (ban) with platform providers.”

Teo said parents still have the responsibility to monitor their children’s internet use and to educate them on safe habits when going online.

Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil yesterday said the Cabinet had decided to implement a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 from next year.

The government spokesman called on social media platforms to comply with the government’s decision to prohibit children under 16 from opening social media accounts by next year.

Fahmi said among the mechanisms being considered include implementing a registration process using official identification documents such as the MyKad, passport or MyDigital ID.

The ban follows concerns over the rising number of cyberbullying, sexual harassment and disciplinary cases among schoolchildren, often linked to early, unregulated exposure to social media.