Malaysia has announced it will prohibit children under the age of 16 from having social media accounts, with the ban set to come into force in 2026.
A Growing Global Trend for Online Safety
The decision, confirmed by the Malaysian Cabinet, places the nation alongside Australia and a growing number of European countries implementing stricter digital age limits. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated the move is a core part of a broader government effort to protect young people from significant online harms.
He specifically cited threats such as cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation as key drivers behind the policy. The minister revealed that the government is currently studying age verification systems used abroad, with electronic checks using identity cards or passports under consideration as a potential method to enforce the ban.
Learning from International Precedents
This initiative follows regulatory changes introduced in Malaysia earlier this year. Since January, major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million users in the country have been required to obtain an operating licence.
These licensed platforms are already mandated to implement age verification tools and content-safety measures. The new ban represents a significant escalation of this existing framework.
Malaysia's policy mirrors the world's first ban of its kind, enacted by Australia. The Australian law, which comes into effect on 10 December 2025, sets the minimum age for social media at 16.
Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube face colossal fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for systemic failures to prevent underage users from holding accounts.
The Wider Push for Digital Protection
Australia's landmark decision is being closely monitored by governments worldwide who share concerns about the impact of social media on young people's mental health and safety.
The global shift is gaining momentum. Earlier this month, Denmark's government unveiled plans to ban social media access for anyone under 15. Similarly, Norway is advancing a proposed law that would establish a minimum age limit of 15 for using social media platforms.
As Minister Fahmi emphasised, the goal is a collaborative one: "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, especially for children and families."
