Social Media Age Verification Mechanism Can Help Curb Child Grooming Issues - Experts

By Ummu Khalidah Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The rising number of sexual crime cases involving children being groomed or exploited through social media has sparked public concern, with many calling for stricter age verification measures to protect minors better.

CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab said the proposed implementation of an account verification system or Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process would not only make it more difficult for individuals to create fake profiles, but also assist authorities in tracking accounts that are being misused for criminal activities.

He said the implementation of eKYC could also help enforce the minimum age requirement for social media users, thereby preventing children under 13 from freely registering accounts - in line with the policies of most international social media platforms.

On Wednesday, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said that Malaysia will require all social media platforms to implement a user identity verification process, or eKYC, to ensure that children under 13 are not allowed to own accounts.

However, he said the move must be implemented carefully, as challenges remain in terms of the cost of integrating eKYC systems with large platforms such as Meta and TikTok, as well as concerns related to user privacy and accessibility for all segments of society.

Amirudin added that online predators often use fake accounts or fictitious identities to approach underage victims in a friendly manner, sometimes by sending virtual gifts before persuading them to share intimate photos or agree to meet in person.

“There are children who seek attention and affection online. This situation is exploited by groomers who pose as peers and gradually build the victim’s trust before steering the conversation towards more personal or sensitive topics,” he said.

Deputy Legal Advisor at the Office of the Legal Advisor of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Assoc Prof Dr Sonny Zulhuda, also agreed that the eKYC system could help reduce the number of fake accounts.

However, he said the initiative must be implemented cautiously, as users are required to submit sensitive personal information, including facial recognition data and official documents - the security of which can be difficult to control, especially when it involves children.

“Children are the most vulnerable group because they tend to share personal data without fully understanding the risks. If such data is stored or accessed by irresponsible parties, it could lead to other threats such as identity theft and digital exploitation,” he said.

As an alternative, Sonny suggested that the government consider adopting a ‘third-party age verification’ approach, similar to what is being explored by five European Union countries - Denmark, France, Greece, Italy and Spain - under the Digital Services Act (DSA) initiative.

“In this model, user data is not sent directly to social media companies. Instead, an appointed third party will verify the user’s age and provide only a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ status to the platforms involved,” he said, adding that the model is more ethical and secure.

He said the approach would not only ensure that social media platforms do not collect excessive information about underage users, but also help prevent children under 13 from freely registering accounts.

Psychiatrist and lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, Kulliyyah of Medicine, IIUM, Asst Prof Dr Hijaz Ridzwan, stressed that preventive measures must begin at home through open and ongoing communication between parents and children.

“Parents need to be role models for their children, not merely give instructions. They should demonstrate how to engage responsibly on social media, discuss appropriate boundaries in online conversations, and teach how to recognise suspicious behaviour. This forms the foundation of true digital literacy,” he said.

Hijaz said communication grounded in empathy and trust can help children feel safer to speak up when they encounter uncomfortable situations online, thereby strengthening early defences against the risks of grooming and sexual exploitation in cyberspace.

He said the impact of grooming crimes on children can be profound and long-lasting, often resulting in psychological trauma that is difficult to overcome.

He added that victims often experience feelings of guilt, fear and confusion upon realising they have been deceived, along with a loss of trust in others and low self-esteem as they grow older.

“Some victims carry these effects into adulthood, making it difficult for them to build healthy relationships. They may experience emotional distress or repeat unsafe relationship patterns due to the manipulation they endured as children,” he said.

-- BERNAMA