Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s starting 2026

In a landmark decision, Malaysia is poised to enact a ban on social media usage for individuals under the age of 16, effective from 2026. This policy aligns Malaysia with a growing trend among various nations striving to enhance child safety in the digital realm. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced this initiative on November 23, 2025, emphasizing the government's commitment to reviewing and potentially adopting age restriction frameworks similar to those in Australia and other countries. The primary goal is to shield young Malaysians from the dangers of the internet, including cyberbullying, financial fraud, and child exploitation. The Minister urged technology companies to adhere to this new policy, stating, "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." This announcement comes amid a worldwide outcry regarding the impact of social media on youth mental health, leading to legal actions against major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta. Malaysia's initiative echoes recent actions taken by Australia, which is implementing similar restrictions next month, with a focus on deactivating accounts for users under 16. Meanwhile, several European nations, including France and Spain, are testing an age verification app to enhance online safety for minors. Indonesia, Malaysia's neighbor, had previously aimed to establish a minimum age for social media users but opted for less stringent measures that prioritize content filtering and robust age verification. In tandem with these developments, the Malaysian government has intensified its scrutiny of social media platforms due to an alleged increase in harmful content, particularly concerning online gambling and sensitive issues related to race and religion. Additionally, a new regulation introduced in January mandates that platforms and messaging services with over eight million Malaysian users must secure a license to operate in the country.