Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s from 2026, following Australian example
Malaysia plans to ban social media for users under the age of 16 from next year, joining a growing list of countries choosing to limit access to digital platforms due to concerns about child safety.
It follows Australia’s world-first move of forcing social media platforms to deactivate accounts registered to users under 16 next month, under a sweeping ban for teenagers that’s being closely watched by regulators around the world.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says the government is reviewing mechanisms used to impose age restrictions for social media use in Australia and other nations, citing a need to protect youths from online harms such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“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 on Sunday, according to a video of his remarks posted online by local daily The Star.
The effects of social media on children’s health and safety have become a growing global concern, with companies including TikTok, Snapchat, Google and Meta Platforms - the operator of Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp - facing lawsuits in the United States for their role in fuelling a mental health crisis.
France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece are also jointly testing a template for an age verification app.
Indonesia said in January it planned to set a minimum age for social media users, but later issued a less stringent regulation requiring tech platforms to filter negative content and impose stronger age verification measures.
Malaysia has put social media companies under greater scrutiny in recent years in response to what it claims to be a rise in harmful content, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion and royalty.
Platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users in Malaysia are now required to obtain a license under a new regulation that came into effect in January.
