We have reported on this news before, but it seems that the possibility has turned into reality. The Malaysian government has announced a target of 2026 for rolling out a ban that will prevent children aged under 16 from creating social media accounts.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the rule is part of a broader strategy to bolster online safety for minors, especially in light of rising concerns around digital exposure.
Age Verification and Platform Responsibilities
To support the ban, the government expects social media platforms to implement electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) systems that verify user identity with official documents such as MyKad, passports or the MyDigital ID. Fahmi indicated all major platform providers must be ready to comply with these measures next year, aligning Malaysia’s approach with other countries’ age-limit frameworks.
Link to Online Safety Legislation
The ban is designed to sit alongside the forthcoming Online Safety Act, scheduled to take effect on January 1. It forms a key part of the government’s efforts to safeguard youth in the digital space. Fahmi emphasised that while the overall goal is protection, the government aims to strike a balance without unduly limiting children’s access to technology and social connections.
Why the Move?
The government’s announcement comes amid increased awareness of potential harms associated with early social media use, including exposure to scams, exploitation, cyberbullying and unsupervised screen time. By raising the minimum age for account creation to 16, the policy is aimed at giving children a safer digital entry point.
Fahmi also encouraged parents to proactively engage in their children’s offline activities, suggesting that outdoor or real-world experiences should take precedence over screen time for younger children.
Is This the Best Way?
This initiative closely mirrors Australia, as the government there has been banning users under 16 from using YouTube, Kick, Reddit, TikTok and Meta platforms. Meanwhile, Instagram also announced a new PG-13 content baseline for users under 18 for the same reason.
Will this move really keep our children safe from digital harm? Perhaps, but parents also have a role to play. This can start by just not simply handing over their children a gadget device, but that's a topic for another day. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
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