No Social Media For Children Below 13 Parents Told

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A child psychologist says children under 13 have yet to understand consent, boundaries and online risks, while an NGO warns it exposes them to luxury lifestyles that encourage risky choices.
The authorities recently revealed that a group of four 12-year-olds have been selling lewd pictures of themselves on WhatsApp. (AP Pic)PETALING JAYA: Children should be kept off social media until they are at least 13, says a child psychologist, as younger users often cannot grasp the long-term consequences of using social media
Child clinical psychologist Dr Noor Aishah Rosli said social media encourages image sharing, peer approval, and viral content, which can normalise early sexual behaviour and blur boundaries for young users.
Children below 13 often cannot grasp long-term consequences of their actions, Noor Aishah said.
“They might understand that sharing explicit images is wrong or embarrassing, but they often cannot fully predict the future repercussions, such as reputational damage, cyber exploitation, or legal implications,” she told FMT.
Other factors, such as family environment, peer influence, exposure to sexualised media, and individual temperament, can also make some children more prone to risky behaviour.
“Children who lack supervision, open communication with caregivers, or guidance on digital literacy also can be a factor,” she said.
Noor Aishah’s advice comes after a case revealed by home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, in which four 12-year-olds reportedly sold lewd pictures of themselves on WhatsApp. Some of the girls even dropped out of school after earning more than their parents.
Yeap Yen Ying, of the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) in Penang, said she has seen similar cases while conducting school programmes.
“When I ask students why they sell naked pictures, it’s not because they don’t have money for food or basic supplies; it’s mainly to maintain their social lifestyle. For example, to buy a new pair of shoes, an iPhone, or other items to keep up with their peer group,” she said.
She said the problem is amplified by social media, which exposes children to images of high-end lifestyles and fuels unhealthy comparisons.
Parents must guide their children, but schools and authorities also have a role to play.
However, feedback from WCC’s teacher training programmes suggests many educators still feel ill-equipped to handle online bullying and sexual exploitation cases because their primary focus remains on completing the syllabus.
“Teachers’ roles have become so focused on academic matters that students’ well-being often takes a back seat,” Yeap said. - FMT

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