Malaysia has begun enforcing new regulations that prohibit children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts, becoming one of the latest countries to tighten online safety measures for young internet users.
The rules, which took effect on Monday, require major social media platforms with at least eight million users in Malaysia - including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube - to introduce age-verification systems and prevent underage users from opening accounts.
According to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the age-verification process for existing users will be implemented gradually over the next six months. Users identified as being younger than 16 will be given one month to download, transfer or save their data, including photos and videos, before any restrictions or account suspensions take effect.
Authorities said companies that fail to comply with the new requirements could face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (approximately $2.5 million). However, parents will not face penalties if their children manage to bypass the restrictions.
The government said the move is intended to shield children from harmful online content, cyberbullying and platform features that may encourage excessive screen time. Officials stressed that the policy is not designed to prevent young people from accessing digital technology altogether, but rather to create a safer online environment.
Malaysia joins a growing list of countries, including Australia, Brazil and Indonesia, that have introduced or proposed age-based restrictions on social media use. Several other nations, including Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea, are also considering similar measures.
Technology companies have yet to provide detailed plans on how they will comply with the regulations. Earlier this year, Meta expressed concerns that a blanket ban could push teenagers toward less regulated online spaces. The company highlighted its “teen accounts” system, which includes limits on contact, screen time and exposure to inappropriate content.
The new policy has generated mixed reactions among parents. Some families have welcomed the restrictions, saying they encourage children to spend more time developing offline skills and hobbies. Others argue that supervised social media use can be educational and fear that strict bans may encourage teenagers to seek alternative, less secure platforms.
Critics have also raised concerns about privacy, particularly regarding the use of government identification for age verification. Some experts question whether the restrictions will be effective if parents can still create accounts on behalf of their children.
Despite the debate, Malaysian authorities maintain that the measures are necessary to strengthen online safety and help parents navigate the growing challenges of the digital age.
