KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia plans to bar users under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms starting next year, joining a growing list of countries tightening regulations to protect children online.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that the government is reviewing age-restriction measures used in Australia and other nations. He cited concerns over cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse as key reasons for the move.
BREAKING: Children in Malaysia aged 16 and under will be prohibited from having their own social media accounts starting in 2026.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says the measure aims to safeguard children from online harm, reports NST.
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“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,” he told reporters, as reported by local daily The Star.
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The announcement comes amid global scrutiny over the effects of social media on children’s health and safety. Companies including TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta Platforms, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have faced lawsuits in the United States over alleged links to a mental health crisis among young users.
Malaysia Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s in 2026 pic.twitter.com/LkAjN4jGoT
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Australia is set to deactivate accounts belonging to under-16 users next month, a move being closely watched by regulators worldwide. Several European countries, including France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece, are jointly testing an age-verification app template to strengthen online child safety.
Read More: Meta warns young Australians ahead of social media ban
In Southeast Asia, Indonesia announced a minimum age policy for social media users in January but later implemented a softer approach requiring platforms to filter harmful content and strengthen age verification.
Malaysia plans to ban children under 16 from using social media from next year
‘We expect all platform providers to be ready to implement the measures by next year,’ says the communications minister https://t.co/VEO5cCrBDn pic.twitter.com/tKCAZrKeDU
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Malaysia has increasingly tightened its oversight of social media in recent years, citing a rise in harmful content, including online gambling and posts touching on sensitive topics such as race, religion, and royalty. Platforms with more than 8 million users are now required to obtain a licence under regulations that came into effect this January.