Malaysia says it plans to bar children under 16 from opening social media accounts next year as part of a broader crackdown on online safety risks.
Malaysia is considering a nationwide restriction that would prevent children under 16 from signing up for social media accounts starting next year, according to a report from TRT WORLD.
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the government is studying how countries such as Australia have implemented similar age restrictions. “We hope that by next year, social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under 16 from opening social media accounts,” Fahmi said in a video published by The Star. He added that coordinated efforts by government agencies and parents could ensure that “the internet in Malaysia is not just fast … but most importantly, safe, especially for children and families.”
The move comes as Malaysia tightens oversight of digital platforms amid rising cybercrime. New regulations introduced in January require platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users to obtain a licence. Several MPs backed the proposed age ban in October, urging the government to develop strong age-verification systems.
A survey by Ipsos Malaysia Education Monitor 2025 found that 72 percent of respondents support restricting children’s social media use. Globally, similar measures are expanding. Australia will require platforms to remove users under 16 from December 10, while New Zealand is preparing its own bill. The Dutch government has also advised parents to keep children under 15 off apps like TikTok and Snapchat.