Malaysia is preparing to introduce a social media ban for users under 16 beginning in 2026, joining a global movement focused on strengthening child online safety. The announcement places Malaysia among several countries tightening rules around digital platforms, especially amid rising concerns about youth exposure to harmful online content.
Government Pushes for Stronger Protections
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the government is reviewing the age-restriction systems used in Australia and other countries before finalizing its plan. He emphasized that Malaysia wants to protect young users from increasing online threats such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse.
Fahmi noted that the government hopes major social media platforms will follow the new policy by next year and prevent anyone under 16 from creating new accounts. His statement was shared through a video published by The Star, a local Malaysian daily.
Global Concerns Over Social Media and Child Safety
The debate around social media’s impact on children has intensified worldwide. Platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are already facing lawsuits in the United States over allegations that their products contribute to rising mental-health issues among teenagers.
Australia is moving ahead aggressively with new regulations. Starting next month, social platforms in the country are expected to deactivate accounts linked to users under 16 as part of a sweeping policy aimed at protecting minors. This move is being closely monitored by global regulators, including those crafting Malaysia’s digital regulations.
Several European nations—France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece—are also collaborating on an age-verification app designed to standardize how minors’ identities are verified online.
Regional Approach to Youth Online Protection
Malaysia’s neighboring country Indonesia had earlier announced plans to enforce a minimum age for social media access. However, it later opted for softer rules that instead require technology companies to tighten content filtering and strengthen age-verification tools.
In recent years, Malaysia has intensified its scrutiny of social media companies due to what it describes as a surge in harmful digital content, ranging from online gambling promotions to sensitive posts involving race, religion, and royalty.
Under new regulations introduced in January, any platform or messaging service with more than 8 million Malaysian users must now obtain an operating license—part of the country’s broader effort to enforce stricter online safety standards.
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