Malaysia has become the latest country to announce plans to restrict social media access based on age. On Sunday, the nation’s cabinet approved a ban on social media accounts for anyone under 16, according to reports from the Associated Press. The move reflects growing global concerns about the negative impact of social media on children’s mental health and well-being.
Implementation Timeline and Government Statement
The ban is scheduled to take effect in 2026. Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the importance of creating a safer online environment:
Fadzil said:
If the government, regulatory bodies, 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.
Malaysia already requires social media and messaging platforms with over eight million local users to obtain a license. These companies must implement age verification systems and other safety measures to comply with regulations.
Global Context and Comparisons
Malaysia is looking to countries like Australia for guidance on implementing electronic ID verification checks. Australia will become the first country to enforce a blanket social media ban for users under 16 starting December 10. Under the new law, platforms such as X, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube, and Twitch must ensure compliance or face fines of up to $49.5 million AUD ($32 million USD).
Other nations are also moving in this direction. Earlier this month, Denmark announced plans to restrict social media access for anyone under 15, citing concerns about disrupted sleep, loss of concentration, and increased pressure from digital interactions.
The U.S. Approach
In the United States, efforts to regulate social media for minors vary by state:
- Utah now requires parental consent for teens to create accounts.
- Texas attempted to pass a bill banning social media for users under 18, but it failed.
- Florida passed a law requiring parental consent for under-16s and banning accounts for under-14s, though it is currently tied up in court.
