November 24, 2025 | 02:31 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Malaysia is planning to ban social media for users under 16 years old starting next year. The neighboring country is joining the list of countries that are increasingly choosing to restrict access to digital platforms due to concerns about child safety.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said on Sunday that the government is reviewing mechanisms used to enforce age restrictions for social media usage in Australia and other countries, citing the need to protect young people from online dangers such as cyberbullying, financial fraud, and child sexual abuse.
"We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts," he told reporters, according to a video of his statement uploaded by The Star.
Malaysia has placed social media companies under tighter scrutiny in recent years in response to what it claims is an increase in harmful content, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion, and the government.
Platforms and messaging services with more than 8 million users in Malaysia are now required to obtain licenses under new regulations that came into effect in January.
The impact of social media on children's health and safety has become an increasingly global concern, with companies including TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta Platforms, the operator of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, facing legal challenges in the United States over their role in triggering mental health crises.
As reported by CNA, social media platforms in Australia are ready to deactivate accounts registered to users under 16 years old next month, under wide-ranging restrictions for teenagers closely monitored by regulators worldwide.
France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are also collectively testing templates for age verification applications.
Malaysia's neighboring country, Indonesia, stated in January that it plans to set a minimum age for social media users. However, the government later issued looser regulations requiring technology platforms to filter negative content and implement stricter age verification measures.
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