Malaysia is planning to restrict children under 16 from creating social media accounts, citing concerns over child safety. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the government is exploring ways to impose online age restrictions, drawing inspiration from countries like Australia. The proposed move aims to ensure a safer online environment, particularly for children and families.
The government has been tightening its oversight of social media services in recent years to combat rising cybercrime. New regulations introduced in January require platforms with over eight million users in the country to obtain a license. Several members of parliament have backed the plan to ban under-16s from social media, calling for effective age verification mechanisms during the registration process.
A survey conducted by Ipsos Malaysia Education Monitor 2025 found that 72% of respondents in Malaysia support restricting social media use among children. This stance is echoed in other countries, with Australia set to force social media platforms to remove users under 16 from December 10 or face fines. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, is also introducing a bill to restrict children’s social media use.
Similarly, the Dutch government has advised parents to forbid children under 15 from using social media apps like TikTok and Snapchat. Meanwhile, five EU countries – Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain – are testing an app designed to prevent children from accessing harmful content online by verifying users’ ages.
The Malaysian government hopes that social media platforms will comply with the decision to bar those under 16 from opening accounts by next year. Minister Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the importance of collective effort from the government, agencies, and parents to ensure a safe online environment. As Malaysia moves to tighten access to social media for minors, it joins a growing list of countries prioritizing child safety in the digital age.
