Jakarta, ThedailyID — Malaysia has announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from owning social media accounts, joining a growing number of countries introducing stricter online safety measures for minors.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government is finalizing regulations that would require social media platforms to prevent underage users from creating accounts.
The proposal follows similar measures adopted or considered by several countries, including Australia, Indonesia, and other nations seeking to strengthen child protection in digital spaces.
Malaysian authorities said the policy aims to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online predators, scams, and mental health risks linked to excessive social media use.
Under the proposed rules, social media companies would bear greater responsibility for verifying users’ ages and enforcing restrictions on underage accounts.
The government is also reviewing additional safeguards related to digital privacy and online safety for children and teenagers.
Supporters of the proposal argue that stronger regulation is necessary as young people spend more time online. They believe social media platforms should play a larger role in protecting minors.
However, critics have questioned how platforms will verify ages effectively without creating new privacy concerns. Some experts also warn that determined users may still find ways to bypass restrictions.
Malaysia has increasingly pushed for tighter oversight of digital platforms in recent years. The government previously introduced licensing requirements and stricter content regulations for major social media companies.
Officials said further details on the under-16 social media ban will be announced once the regulatory framework is finalized.
