Malaysia mulls social media ban for under-16s

14 Sept 16:34 Key points summarised by AI

Malaysia plans to block social media accounts for children under 16 by next year, driven by child-safety concerns.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil indicated the government is examining how countries like Australia implement online age restrictions.
The proposed ban has received support from Malaysian MPs and aligns with public opinion, with a survey showing 72% agreement for restricting children's social media use.
This initiative mirrors global efforts, as Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands are also implementing or advising similar restrictions on social media for minors.

Examining Thailand’s four-part education revolution

Today 14:22 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.