Malaysia is planning a major shift in its digital rules, set to bar anyone under 16 from using social media starting in 2026. The move aims to protect children from online dangers like cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual abuse.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the plan on November 23, 2025. He said the government is studying how other countries, including Australia, enforce age limits. The goal is to make social media safer for young users. He also urged tech companies to comply with the new rule by next year.
The decision comes amid growing global concern over social media’s impact on children’s mental health. Platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta are facing lawsuits in the U.S. over claims that they contribute to a youth mental health crisis.
Malaysia’s approach follows similar moves worldwide. Australia will deactivate accounts for users under 16 next month. European nations like France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Greece are testing age verification apps. Indonesia also considered a minimum age but instead focused on filtering harmful content and stricter verification.
The Malaysian government has recently increased scrutiny of social media, citing harmful content linked to online gambling and sensitive topics like race, religion, and royalty. A regulation that took effect in January now requires platforms with over eight million Malaysian users to obtain a licence. This ban is the latest step in the country’s effort to control online risks for young users.
