Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia plans to ban social media accounts for people under 16 starting in 2026, joining Australia and a growing number of countries introducing stricter digital age limits for children.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that the Cabinet approved the move as part of a broader effort to shield young people from online harm, including cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation. The government is reportedly studying approaches taken by Australia and other countries and may use electronic checks with identity cards or passports to verify users’ ages. The exact enforcement date for the ban has not been announced.
“I believe that if the government, regulatory bodies, and parents all play their roles, we can ensure that the Internet in Malaysia is not only fast, widespread, and affordable, but most importantly, safe for children and families,” Fadzil said.
Since January, major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia are required to obtain a licence under broader tightening of state oversight over digital platforms. Licensed platforms must implement age verification, content-safety measures, and transparency rules, reflecting the government’s push for a safer digital space.
Australia’s parliament enacted the world’s first ban on social media for children, which will begin Dec. 10, setting the minimum age at 16. Platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit, and Kick face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (USD 33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts.
Australia’s move is being closely watched by countries concerned about social media’s impact on young children. Denmark’s government earlier this month also announced plans to ban access to social media for anyone under 15, although enforcement details remain unclear. Norway is moving forward with a proposed law setting a minimum age limit of 15 for social media access.
With PTI inputs