Malaysia plans to implement a ban on social media access for children under 16 starting in 2026, aligning with an intensifying global movement to protect minors from online harm.
Malaysian Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil stated the government is developing mechanisms to introduce age restrictions. The initiative aims to shield children from online dangers such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual exploitation.
Platforms are expected to comply by blocking account creation for individuals under 16.
The Southeast Asian nation is examining age restriction models from countries like Australia. Australia itself is reportedly preparing to mandate social media platforms close accounts belonging to users under 16 in the coming months.
Across Europe, countries including France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are jointly testing new age verification systems for online platforms.
In the United States, major technology companies like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are facing legal challenges. These lawsuits allege their platforms contribute to mental health crises among children and teenagers.
Neighboring Indonesia previously considered a minimum age for social media users but ultimately focused on stricter rules for detecting harmful content instead.
Malaysia has increased its scrutiny of social media platforms in recent years. This follows a rise in content deemed problematic by the government, including online gambling and material inciting racial or religious tensions, or issues related to the monarchy.
Since January, new regulations have required platforms or services with over 8 million accounts in Malaysia to apply for special operating licenses.