Malaysia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s by Next Year as Part of Growing Efforts to Limit Children's Digital Exposure
The Malaysian government plans to bar social media users under the age of 16 from opening accounts starting next year, a move aimed at protecting children from online harms such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil cited Australia as a model for their review of mechanisms used to impose age restrictions for social media use.
The decision comes as part of a growing trend among countries looking to limit children's exposure to digital platforms due to increasing concerns about the impact on young people's health and safety. In Australia, social media platforms are set to deactivate accounts registered to users younger than 16 next month, sparking international attention from regulators. France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are also testing a template for an age verification app.
Malaysia has faced criticism in recent years over the spread of harmful content on social media, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion, and royalty. Platforms with over eight million users in Malaysia are now required to obtain a license under a new regulation that came into effect in January.
The decision is part of an effort by the government to protect its young citizens from the negative effects of social media use. However, experts have raised concerns about the potential impact on children's freedom and access to information, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that balances protection with education and responsible online behavior.
The Malaysian government plans to bar social media users under the age of 16 from opening accounts starting next year, a move aimed at protecting children from online harms such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil cited Australia as a model for their review of mechanisms used to impose age restrictions for social media use.
The decision comes as part of a growing trend among countries looking to limit children's exposure to digital platforms due to increasing concerns about the impact on young people's health and safety. In Australia, social media platforms are set to deactivate accounts registered to users younger than 16 next month, sparking international attention from regulators. France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are also testing a template for an age verification app.
Malaysia has faced criticism in recent years over the spread of harmful content on social media, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion, and royalty. Platforms with over eight million users in Malaysia are now required to obtain a license under a new regulation that came into effect in January.
The decision is part of an effort by the government to protect its young citizens from the negative effects of social media use. However, experts have raised concerns about the potential impact on children's freedom and access to information, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that balances protection with education and responsible online behavior.
like my cousins niece got a tik tok acc at 12 lol! anywayz, i feel like this ban is kinda necessary tho. all these bad things are out there and we dont want our lil ones gettin exsposed to it 
. but idk about the balance thang... doesnt everyone think thats just gonna make kids wanna sneak onto social meda more 
? or maybe its just a step in the rite direction lol 
Social media should be kid-free zones 
16 & under shouldn't be online, it's for their own good 
. By implementing a ban on social media for under-16s, they hope to minimize exposure to online harms and promote safer digital habits. But will it be enough? Time will tell if this move is a step in the right direction or just another hurdle to overcome 
hopefully it'll b something that actually works cuz we don't wanna restrict kids 2 much 
... its not like theyre gonna just delete their own accounts or smthn 
... kids are smart & resourceful, we should be teachin them how to navigate the online world safely rather than lockin it down 
... & what about all those kid influencers on TikTok & YouTube? 
Cyberbullying and whatnot is no joke.