News & Reviews:   Social media

The latest World Happiness Report 2026 has raised fresh concerns about the impact of social media on young people, suggesting that heavy usage is linked to declining happiness among teenagers. The report, published by researchers including the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, highlights a growing drop in life satisfaction among youth, particularly in developed countries.

Like Malaysia, Indonesia has announced a nationwide ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, as part of a broader effort to address growing concerns about online safety. The policy was confirmed by Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, who said the regulation aims to protect young users from harmful digital environments.

A high-profile legal battle in the United States is drawing fresh attention to concerns over how social media platforms may affect the mental health of Generation Z. The case centres on claims that major tech companies designed their products in ways that encourage excessive use among young people, potentially contributing to anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges.

In yet another trending scam post, Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) has publicly dismissed a social media message claiming that the government is offering a one-off RM500 Ramadan financial aid to citizens. The clarification came after a widely shared image and link circulated online that appeared to show the Prime Minister attached to the offer, suggesting recipients could check their eligibility through a website.

In early January, we reported that MCMC planned to ban under-16s from social media this year. We have another new update today, as news sources report that the government is preparing to implement a minimum age requirement for social media accounts, which is expected to come into effect as early as July 2026, subject to completion of ongoing preparatory work.

It was only at the end of 2025 that we reported "Finfluencers” without a proper license would be penalised. But today, the Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDN) has introduced new tax guidelines that require social media and digital influencers to declare all forms of income. Here's what influencers and KOLs (key opinion leaders) should know.

Social media is harming the mental health of teenagers, especially girls, France's health watchdog said on Tuesday, as the country debates banning social media access for children under 15. That said, what should you know about it?

In early December, I came across a nostalgic Facebook post reminiscing about how simple the platform once was, before reels, algorithms, and endless noise took over. Having used social media since 2009, that moment made me realise how much not just Facebook, but all major platforms have changed, and why I now find myself pulling away from them more often: social media nowadays is worse than ever.

Today, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has announced that internet messaging and social media platforms with at least eight million users in the country will be automatically regarded as registered holders of the Class ASP(C) Application Service Provider licence starting 1 January 2026, under the implementation of the Deeming Provision of Section 46A of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

One of the biggest news stories to kick off this week was the Malaysian government's decision to ban Malaysian teens under 16 from creating social media accounts. That being said, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching also confirmed that parents will not be penalised if their children under 16 create or use social media accounts.