Malaysia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s from 2026

News Desk

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia plans to bar children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms starting in 2026, as part of a broader push to safeguard young users from online harms, including cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual exploitation.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that the government is reviewing global age-verification mechanisms, including models used in Australia, France, and other nations, to ensure compliance by platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Google services.

“We hope that by next year, social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under 16 from opening accounts,” Fahmi told reporters, emphasizing the need to protect the mental and physical well-being of Malaysian youths.

The move comes amid growing international scrutiny of the impact of social media on children’s health. Companies including TikTok, Snapchat, Meta Platforms, and Google are facing lawsuits in the United States over claims that their platforms contribute to a mental health crisis among teens.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/court-filings-allege-meta-hid-evidence-of-social-media-harm/

Australia is set to implement a similar ban next month, deactivating accounts registered to users under 16, while European nations such as France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are jointly testing an age-verification app to limit underage access.

Malaysia has increasingly tightened control over online platforms in recent years. In January, the government introduced regulations requiring platforms and messaging services with more than 8 million users to obtain a license.

The rules also demand stricter monitoring of harmful content, including online gambling, and posts related to sensitive issues such as race, religion, and royalty.

The new social media ban underscores Malaysia’s strategy to combine digital regulation with child protection, reflecting a broader global trend of governments balancing online freedoms with safeguarding vulnerable populations.