KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia plans to ban social media access for users under the age of 16 starting next year, joining a growing number of countries moving to restrict children’s exposure to digital platforms amid concerns over online safety.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that the government is studying age restriction mechanisms used in countries such as Australia, with the aim of protecting young users from online harms including cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse. “We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under 16 from opening user accounts,” he told reporters, according to a video of his remarks posted online.
The decision comes as the impact of social media on children’s mental health and overall well-being has become a growing global concern. Companies such as TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta Platforms, which operates Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, are facing lawsuits in the United States over allegations that their platforms have contributed to a youth mental health crisis.
Australia is set to deactivate accounts registered to users under 16 next month under a sweeping ban, a move that is being closely monitored by regulators worldwide. Similarly, France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are jointly testing an age verification app as part of coordinated efforts to safeguard children online.
Malaysia’s neighbour, Indonesia, had earlier proposed a minimum age requirement for social media use in January, though the country later implemented a less strict regulation mandating that platforms filter harmful content and strengthen age verification measures.
The Malaysian government has increasingly scrutinized social media platforms in recent years over rising concerns about harmful content, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion, and royalty. Under new regulations that came into effect in January, social media platforms and messaging services with more than 8 million users in Malaysia must now obtain a license to operate.
The planned age restriction is part of Malaysia’s broader effort to safeguard children online and ensure that digital platforms comply with local standards for safety and responsible use.
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