KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia plans to ban social media accounts for those under 16 from 2026, joining Australia and a growing number of countries that impose stricter digital age limits on children.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that Cabinet approved the move as part of a broader effort to protect young people from online dangers such as cyberbullying, scams and sexual exploitation. He said the government was studying approaches taken by Australia and other countries, as well as the potential use of electronic checks with ID cards or passports to verify users’ ages. He did not say when exactly the ban would come into effect.
“I believe that if the government, regulators and parents all play their roles, we can ensure that the Internet in Malaysia is not only fast, widespread and affordable, but most importantly safe, especially for children and families,” he said.
Since January, major social media and messaging platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia have been required to obtain a license as part of a broader tightening of state surveillance over digital platforms. Licensed platforms must implement age verification, content safety measures and transparency rules, reflecting the government’s desire to make the digital space safer.
Australia’s parliament has enacted the world’s first ban on social media for children which will come into force on December 10, setting the minimum age at 16. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok,
Australia’s decision is being closely watched by countries who share concerns about the impact of social media on young children.
The Danish government also announced plans earlier this month to ban access to social media for anyone under the age of 15, although details of how these measures would be enforced remain unclear. Norway is also moving forward with a bill that would set 15 as the minimum age for accessing social media platforms.
