KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is preparing to introduce a nationwide ban that will stop children under the age of 16 from creating or using social media accounts, a move officials say is aimed at protecting minors from growing online risks.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the government is drafting new legislation that would make it illegal for anyone under 16 to have an account on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat.
He said the proposal comes as Malaysia joins a widening global push to shield children from online exploitation, cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
Malaysia’s announcement follows similar moves around the world.
Australia recently said it will enforce a nationwide social media ban for teenagers beginning in December 2025.
Lawmakers in the United States and Europe are also debating stricter age-verification rules and tighter parental-consent systems.
Governments argue that traditional safety tools are no longer enough to protect young users amid rising concerns about mental health, privacy breaches and exposure to harmful content.
According to Reuters, the upcoming Malaysian law will be backed by new regulatory powers requiring social media companies to strengthen age-verification systems and prevent underage users from creating accounts.
Parents or guardians could also face penalties if they help minors bypass the rules.
Fadzil said the government is working with technology companies, child-welfare groups and educators to finalize the framework ahead of the rollout planned for 2026.
He emphasized that the priority is to create a “safer online environment” for children as digital platforms continue to influence daily life at an early age. — Agencies
