Malaysia to Ban Under-16 Social Media Access Following Australia's Lead on Digital Child Protection

Malaysia is preparing to implement a ban on social media access for children under 16 years old, scheduled to take effect next year, as part of a broader initiative to enhance online safety for minors.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced on Sunday that the Malaysian government is examining approaches taken by Australia and other nations regarding online age restrictions.

"We anticipate that by next year, social media platforms will adhere to the government's directive prohibiting individuals under 16 from creating social media accounts," Fahmi stated in a video published online by Malaysian newspaper The Star.

He further explained, "I believe if the government, government agencies, and parents fulfill their respective responsibilities, we can ensure that Malaysia's internet is not only fast but, most critically, safe, particularly for children and families."

In recent years, Malaysia has strengthened its oversight of social media services to address the growing issue of cybercrime. This includes new regulations implemented in January requiring platforms and messaging services with more than eight million Malaysian users to obtain operating licenses.

Several Members of Parliament expressed support for the government's under-16 ban proposal in October, advocating for robust age verification mechanisms during account registration.

A survey conducted by Ipsos Malaysia Education Monitor 2025, reported by local media in September, revealed that 72 percent of Malaysian respondents supported restricting social media usage among children.

In Australia, major social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok will be required to remove users under 16 beginning December 10, with significant financial penalties for non-compliance.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also announced plans to introduce similar legislation restricting children's social media access.

Additionally, the Dutch government advised parents earlier this year to prohibit children under 15 from using social media applications such as TikTok and Snapchat.

Meanwhile, five European Union member states—Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain—are currently testing an application designed to prevent children from accessing harmful online content by verifying users' ages.