Malaysia Plans Nationwide Ban on Social Media for Under-16s from 2026

The Malaysian government announced plans to ban individuals under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining social-media accounts, with the measure expected to begin in 2026.

The decision comes as part of a broader child-online-safety initiative led by Fahmi Fadzil, the Communications Minister, who stated the government is studying foreign models (notably Australia) to design Malaysia’s approach.

The rationale given by authorities includes safeguarding minors from risks such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual exploitation via social-media platforms.

To enforce the age restriction, the government is exploring mechanisms like electronic identity verification (eKYC) using national ID cards or passports to ensure users are 16 or older.

Malaysia has already tightened regulation of digital platforms: as of January this year, all social-media and messaging services with more than 8 million Malaysian users must obtain a licence and abide by age-verification and content-safety rules.

The age-ban places Malaysia in a growing international trend: for example, Australia is set to deactivate accounts of users under 16 from December, and several European countries are experimenting with age-verification apps.

While the cabinet has approved the policy in principle, the exact date of enforcement, detailed legal mechanics and the full list of platforms covered have not yet been publicly finalised.

The move is being framed as a collaborative effort involving government agencies, platform providers and parents — the minister said that the aim is not just a fast and affordable internet, but a safe one for children and families.

The policy may pose significant operational and technical challenges for social-media companies, including verifying age, preventing under-16s from account creation, and ensuring compliance with Malaysian licensing/licence requirements.

The announcement signals Malaysia’s increasing willingness to assert regulatory control over digital platforms — especially with regard to content deemed harmful (like gambling, religious/race-based posts) and the protection of vulnerable online users.