From Malay Mail · · 2m
Malaysia and France team up for kids' online safety
French official urges Malaysia-France alliance to protect children from online risks.
In brief
French official urges Malaysia-France alliance to protect children from online risks. French High Commissioner for Children Sarah El Haïry calls for Malaysia-France cooperation on online safety to prevent child exploitation and ensure digital rights. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
French official calls for Malaysia-France alliance
French High Commissioner for Children Sarah El Haïry urges Malaysia and France to form a coalition for children's online safety at the World Summit on Investing in Children's Wellbeing in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on October 24…
“I think the children safety is a global issue. So for malaysia, for france, for uzbekistan, for morocco, for mexican child, it’s a global progress.”
Digital safety transcends national borders
El Haïry states children's online safety is not confined to individual nations and requires governments to jointly safeguard children's rights in the digital space.
Malaysia enforces 16-year social media age rule
Malaysia implemented a minimum age of 16 for social media account ownership on June 1, 2026, under the Child Protection Code (CPC) introduced by the Online Safety Act 2025.
France pursues child-safe social media laws
France aims to prohibit children under 15 from accessing social media, though its initial legislation was struck down by the Constitutional Council on August 14, 2026.
El Haïry advocates child-safe-by-design approach
El Haïry emphasizes that digital platforms should embed child protection measures from development stages to prevent harm and ensure children benefit from technology.
Social media age restrictions as protective measures
El Haïry says Malaysia's 16-year social media age rule and verification mechanisms are protective measures, not punishments, to ensure children's digital safety.
France revises social media laws
On September 14, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a revised proposal to the European Commission for legally robust social media restrictions for children.
Digital education and parental support needed
El Haïry stresses that parents and teachers must guide children through digital environments while governments provide support to families for online safety.
Children's digital safety requires global cooperation
El Haïry calls for international collaboration to ensure children's rights are protected in the digital space, emphasizing that digital safety transcends national borders.
The main idea
French High Commissioner for Children Sarah El Haïry calls for Malaysia-France cooperation on online safety to prevent child exploitation and ensure digital rights.
