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From making cashless payments to working remotely, being online is already part of everyday life for most Malaysians
Across ASEAN countries, that digital shift is happening at an even bigger scale.
But as netizens in these countries become more connected, the region is also facing a growing question: How can governments make sure the digital economy remains safe and trusted, especially for children?
That will be one of the issues being discussed at the Ministers-Regulators Roundtable Meeting (MRRM)
Presented by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the roundtable will bring senior regulators together to exchange policy experiences and best practices on age-based social media restrictions and age verification mechanisms.
The meeting is part of M360 ASEAN 2026, and takes place on 9 September from 4pm to 6pm at the Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur.
The discussion follows a global push by governments to introduce stricter measures amid growing concerns about children's exposure to online harms
Australia's landmark restriction on social media access for children under 16 in December 2025 has also prompted other countries, including Malaysia, to consider or advance similar measures.
However, it's not a simple thing to implement. Regulators will need to consider how different verification systems can be utilised, how restrictions can be enforced, and how users' personal data and privacy can be protected.
The MRRM will also look at platform accountability and ways to strengthen regulatory cooperation across borders, as Malaysia continues implementing the Online Safety Act 2025 framework.
The conversation around online safety is part of a much bigger digital transformation happening across Southeast Asia
As demand for data-intensive applications, cloud services, and AI grows, ASEAN will need resilient, high-quality digital infrastructure to support economies that increasingly depend on real-time connectivity.
At the same time, the rapid adoption of AI is raising fresh concerns around governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and responsible use.
This makes digital trust just as important as connectivity.
For businesses and consumers to fully participate in a more integrated digital economy, they need confidence that the systems they use are secure, their data is protected, and digital services are accessible to them.
Malaysia is playing a role in this regional conversation through MCMC, which continues to work on connectivity, digital regulation, and building a more trusted digital ecosystem
As the host partner of M360 ASEAN 2026, MCMC is also providing a platform for policymakers, regulators, and industry players to discuss challenges that extend beyond individual countries.
And with regulators sitting down this Wednesday to tackle one of the most pressing issues in online safety, the conversation is already moving from digital ambition towards practical regional action.
