Malaysia on Monday began enforcing new rules that prohibit children under the age of 16 from holding social media accounts, joining a growing list of countries seeking to strengthen online safety protections
for minors.
Under the regulations, major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube must introduce age-verification systems and prevent users younger than 16 from creating accounts.
Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said age verification for existing users will be rolled out over the next six months. Users identified as being under 16 will be given one month to download or transfer their data, including photos and videos, before restrictions or account suspensions take effect.
Companies that fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to 10 million Malaysian ringgit (about $2.5 million). However, parents will not face penalties if their children manage to bypass the restrictions.
The Malaysian government said the measures are designed to protect children from harmful online content, cyberbullying and platform features that encourage excessive screen time and addictive behaviour.
“These measures help strengthen the protection of children in the online environment, while providing added reassurance to parents in navigating increasingly complex digital risks,” the regulator said.
Authorities stressed that the restrictions are not intended to block children from using digital technology altogether. Instead, platforms are being required to improve safety measures, reduce exposure to harmful content and actively identify underage users.
Malaysia’s move follows similar efforts in countries such as Australia, Brazil and Indonesia, while Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are also exploring stricter age-based social media regulations.
Technology companies have yet to explain how they will fully comply with the new requirements. Earlier this year, Meta warned that a blanket ban could have unintended consequences.
Clara Koh, Meta’s Director of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, argued that pushing teenagers away from regulated platforms could drive them toward less secure parts of the internet. She pointed to Meta’s “Teen Accounts” programme, which limits screen time, contact from strangers and exposure to inappropriate content for younger users.
The policy has received mixed reactions from parents.
Kuala Lumpur residents Saravanan Ganasan and Jayaradha Veerasamy welcomed the restrictions, saying they already prohibit their children, aged 12 and 15, from using social media. The couple said limiting access has encouraged their children to develop hobbies and life skills away from screens.
Their son, Aadhavan, 15, agreed, saying unrestricted access could have led to addiction.
“Social media is like a luxury and it’s not a necessity,” he said.
Others are less convinced. Shaun Hew, a father from the Kuala Lumpur suburb of Cheras, said social media can be beneficial when used under parental supervision. His children use online platforms for learning activities such as cooking tutorials and exam preparation.
He worries that strict restrictions could encourage teenagers to seek unregulated ways to bypass the rules.
Privacy advocates have also raised concerns about the age-verification process. Critics argue that requiring government-issued identification could create risks related to data security and surveillance.
Benjamin Loh, a social science lecturer at Monash University Malaysia, said experiences in other countries suggest age-based restrictions have not always proven effective.
He noted that without penalties for parents, some families may simply create accounts on behalf of their children, potentially limiting the law’s effectiveness.
The new regulations come as governments worldwide face mounting pressure to address concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety and online behaviour.
