Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia is considering a ban on social media platforms for users under the age of 16, potentially taking effect next year. This move comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s well-being and safety.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated on Sunday that the government is reviewing mechanisms used in Australia and other countries to enforce age restrictions on social media usage. He cited the need to protect young people from online harms such as bullying, financial scams, and child sexual exploitation.
“We hope that by next year, social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to prevent those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts,” Fadzil told reporters, according to a video of his remarks published by The Star, a local news outlet.
The potential ban reflects a global trend of increasing scrutiny over social media’s effects on minors. Australia is set to deactivate accounts registered to users under 16 next month, under a comprehensive ban on minors that is being closely monitored by regulators worldwide. Several European nations including France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are also exploring a unified model for age verification.
Indonesia announced in January its plans to set a minimum age for social media users but later issued a less stringent regulation requiring technology platforms to filter negative content and enforce stronger age verification measures. The Malaysian government’s initiative underscores a commitment to safeguarding young citizens in the digital age.
