Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s from 2026
What's the story
Malaysia is planning to impose a ban on social media for users below the age of 16, starting next year. The move comes amid growing concerns over child safety and mental health issues linked to social media use. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that the government is looking into how other countries like Australia have implemented age restrictions on social media platforms.
Protection measures
Aim to protect youth from online harms
Fadzil emphasized the need to shield young users from online threats such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse. He expressed hope that by next year, social media platforms would adhere to the government's decision to prevent those under 16 from creating user accounts. The move is part of a broader global trend where countries are taking steps to ensure children's safety in the digital space.
Mental health crisis
Global concerns over social media's impact on children
The impact of social media on children's health and safety has been a major concern worldwide. Companies like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta Platforms (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) have been sued in the US for contributing to a mental health crisis among young users. In Australia, social media platforms are preparing to deactivate accounts registered by users under 16 as part of a comprehensive ban that is being closely monitored by regulators globally.
International efforts
Other countries exploring age verification measures
Other countries like France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are also testing an age verification app template. Meanwhile, Malaysia's neighbor Indonesia had announced plans to set a minimum age for social media users earlier this year. However, it later introduced a less stringent regulation mandating tech platforms to filter negative content and enforce stricter age verification measures.