Kuala Lampur, Dec. 27 -- Malaysia's proposal to prohibit under-16s from creating social media accounts by 2026 is a headline that instantly comforts parents: at last, action is being taken. The intent is clear: to protect young people from cyberbullying, grooming, scams and the wider ecosystem of online harm that has grown more sophisticated and more relentless. However, the announcement alone will not determine the success of this policy. It will be decided by the uncomfortable mechanics of enforcement: how we verify age, how much personal data we collect in the process, and whether the policy reduces real harm or merely pushes it into darker corners of the internet.

The Cabinet of Malaysia has approved raising the minimum age for socia...