Malaysia to impose social media ban for children under 16 from 2026

Malaysia is set to implement a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16 beginning next year, marking one of the region’s strongest regulatory steps aimed at protecting minors online. The move, announced by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, follows Cabinet approval and forms part of a broader push to curb risks such as cyberbullying, online scams and sexual exploitation.

Fahmi said the government is examining digital-safety models adopted in countries like Australia, which recently became the first country to legally enforce a minimum age of 16 for social media access. Malaysia is also considering electronic age-verification systems using national identity cards or passports, though implementation details and enforcement timelines are still being finalised.

The minister emphasised that regulatory action alone will not be enough, stressing the need for coordinated responsibility between the government, digital platforms and parents to ensure a safer online environment for young users.

Earlier this year, Malaysia introduced licensing requirements for major platforms with at least eight million local users. Under the new rules, platforms must implement age-gating tools, stronger content safeguards and improved transparency measures. The upcoming age-restriction law is expected to build on that regulatory framework.

The global focus on children’s online safety has intensified, with Denmark recently signalling plans to ban social media access for users under 15, while Norway is proposing a minimum age of 15 as part of its updated digital safety legislation.

For Malaysia, the new age limit signals growing urgency around youth digital wellbeing, especially as online engagement accelerates across the region. The policy is likely to spark discussions among educators, parents and digital platforms, particularly around enforcement challenges and the role of identity-based verification.

As Southeast Asian countries continue to grapple with children’s exposure to digital risks, Malaysia’s decision could set the tone for similar moves across the region in the coming years.