Malaysia to Ban Social Media for Users Under 16 Starting Next Year
Malaysia has announced a new nationwide policy that will bar users under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts beginning next year. The announcement was made by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who revealed that the government is working on new compliance systems for major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X.
According to Fadzil, the government expects all social media companies to adopt the new rules once they come into effect. The move aligns with a growing global trend of governments placing tighter restrictions on how young people use social media.
Global Push for Child Online Safety
Malaysia’s decision comes shortly after Australia implemented a law requiring social networks to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16, effective December 10. It also follows a broader international movement aimed at protecting children from harmful online content, privacy threats, and digital manipulation.
Countries such as France, Denmark, Italy, and Norway are also drafting similar regulations. In the United States, 24 states have enacted age-verification laws for online platforms, with Utah becoming the first state to mandate age checks in app stores before minors can download apps.
Addressing Mental Health and Safety Concerns
The initiative reflects mounting concerns about how early social media exposure affects young people’s mental health, behaviour, and general safety. Policymakers argue that existing self-reported age checks are insufficient, as minors can easily bypass them.
By introducing stronger verification methods, the Malaysian government aims to reduce young users’ exposure to inappropriate content and mitigate the long-term effects of unregulated social media use.
Impact on Social Media Platforms
If implemented, the policy will require major platforms to overhaul how they onboard Malaysian users. Companies may need to introduce:
- More advanced age-verification technologies
- Longer sign-up processes
- Document-based verification steps
- Additional parental oversight features
These requirements could result in slower onboarding experiences and potential pushback from both users and tech companies.
There are also questions about enforcement. Platforms that fail to comply may face penalties, similar to the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which imposes steep fines on firms that fail to protect minors from harmful content.
Potential Effects on Young Users and Communities
Young users who already rely on social media for communication, learning, or entertainment may feel the impact most strongly. The proposed ban may also raise concerns among parents, teachers, and digital rights advocates about privacy, data handling, and whether such restrictions are practical or overly intrusive.
As Malaysia prepares to roll out the policy next year, debates are expected to intensify around digital rights, child safety, and how far governments should go to regulate online experiences.
