Malaysia Will Implement Social Media Ban For Children Under 16

Illustration of social media that will be banned in Malaysia for children under 16 years old. (ANTARA/Anadolu)

JAKARTA - Malaysia plans to implement a ban on the use of social media for children under 16 years of age starting in 2026, said Communication Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Sunday.

Fahmi said after attending a seminar that the government wants to strengthen child safety in the digital space, and all platform providers will be required to implement electronic identity verification (eKYC) in 2026.

"We hope that all platform providers are ready to implement these steps next year," Fahmi said as quoted by a number of media.

Responding to Australia's policy, which from December 10 will limit access to social media by age, he said Malaysia would closely monitor other countries' approaches.

Starting next month, Australia will be the first country to ban the use of platforms such as Reddit, Kick, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Threads, and YouTube for individuals aged 16 years and under.

Fahmi said Malaysia's policy was part of a broader protection effort, along with the enactment of the Online Safety Act on January 1, 2026.

He also encourages parents to increase outdoor activities for children and limit screen time, as well as emphasize the importance of monitoring the use of digital devices.

In October, the cabinet decided to increase the minimum age limit for social media users to 16 years.