Malaysia is set to ban users under 16 from creating social media accounts starting next year. The move aims to protect minors from online risks, including cyberbullying and scams.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced the upcoming ban on Sunday, highlighting growing concerns over youth safety in the digital space. He noted that Malaysia is studying age-verification mechanisms used in countries such as Australia to enforce restrictions effectively.
“We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts,” Minister Fahmi said, as reported by The Star.
The decision comes amid increasing global concern about social media’s impact on children. Platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) face lawsuits in the United States over claims that their services contribute to youth mental health issues.
Australia plans to enforce a strict ban next month, requiring platforms to deactivate accounts for users under 16. Several European nations, including France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece, are testing an age-verification app to improve compliance.
In Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s neighbor, Indonesia, proposed similar age restrictions earlier this year but opted for content filtering and stronger verification instead. The new Malaysian rule aligns with a global trend to regulate social media use among minors.
The Malaysian government has also intensified oversight of digital platforms in recent years. In January, a regulation required any platform with over eight million Malaysian users to obtain a government license. Authorities cited rising online gambling, harmful content, and sensitivities regarding religion, race, and royalty as reasons for stricter regulation.
Minister Fahmi emphasized that the country is committed to keeping children safe online while encouraging responsible digital use. The government continues to work with social media companies to implement the new rules effectively.
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Malaysia’s initiative reflects a global push to protect young users from online harm and ensure safer digital environments.
