Malaysia to ban social media for users under 16 starting next year

Malaysia is set to implement a nationwide restriction that will prevent users under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts, starting next year. This initiative was announced by the country’s Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil. According to the minister, the government is developing systems that social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, will need to comply with.

He stated that the government expects these platforms to comply with the new rule once it takes effect. This action comes as countries worldwide tighten controls to limit access to social media for young users.

The announcement follows similar actions in Australia, where the law requires social networks to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16, effective December 10.

Malaysia to quell rising worries about mental health

Malaysia’s efforts are contributing to the global movement aimed at enhancing online protections for children. Governments around the world are increasingly focused on minimising young users’ exposure to harmful content, privacy risks, and online manipulation. For Malaysia, this proposal indicates its commitment to aligning with international digital safety standards.

The initiative shows growing worries about how young people using social media can impact their mental health, behaviour, and safety. Policymakers argue that strict age verification systems are necessary because minors can easily bypass self-reported age checks.

Also read: Social media ban for under-16s?

Countries like France, Denmark, Italy, and Norway are in the process of developing similar regulations. In the United States, 24 states have enacted age-verification laws for online platforms. Notably, Utah was the first state to mandate that app stores verify a user’s age before permitting minors to download applications.

What the restriction could mean

If this policy is put into effect, major social media companies will need to change how they bring Malaysian users onto their platforms. These companies will likely have to use better age-verification tools to keep minors from creating or keeping accounts. This change could lead to longer sign-up times, new document requirements, or different processes for signing up.

There are questions about how enforcement will work, especially for platforms that rely on self-reports. Companies could face penalties if they do not meet the government’s expectations. This is similar to the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which imposes heavy fines on platforms that fail to protect minors from harmful content.

The law may also impact young users who already utilise these platforms for entertainment, learning, or communication. Schools, parents, and digital rights groups might also oppose enforcement, data management, or the practicality of the ban.

Malaysia is clearly moving towards establishing legal frameworks aimed at protecting children from unsafe online environments. This development adds to the increasing number of countries focusing on stricter age compliance, putting additional pressure on social media companies to adapt to these new regulations.