KUALA LUMPUR, 13 March - The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is prepared to collaborate with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to address the increasingly worrying issue of social media addiction.

Deputy Minister of Communications, Teo Nie Ching, said they can also issue safe guidelines to regulate social media platform providers.

"We can issue guidelines to regulate platform providers so that they provide a safer environment, especially for users under the age of 18," she said in the Dewan Negara today.

"As for adults, each individual needs to be responsible for their choices. If this addiction affects mental health, we are ready to collaborate with the MOH because they have expertise in this area," she added.

She said this when responding to Senator Azahar Hassan regarding the ministry's steps in addressing the challenge of social media addiction among users.

Teo added the MCMC is also committed to implementing information sharing to increase public awareness and education regarding the responsible and ethical use of social media.