Malaysia Enforces New Law Banning Social Media Use for Children Under 16

Malaysia has implemented a new law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Social media companies that violate this regulation face fines of up to 10 million Malaysian ringgit. The policy aims to create a safe digital environment to protect children from cyberbullying and mental stress.

Effective from Monday, the regulation states that children under 16 are not allowed to create or operate personal accounts on social media. Under the new rules, social media operators must mandate age verification for users. Companies will also be responsible for blocking and identifying accounts registered by children under 16.

This law applies to major social media platforms with millions of users such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Companies found violating the rule can be fined up to 10 million Malaysian ringgit. The Malaysian government stated that this measure is intended to protect children from harmful online content, cyberbullying, mental pressure, and excessive social media use.

According to the government, stricter measures became necessary due to the increasing online risks faced by children over recent years. While children who attempt to circumvent this rule by opening accounts will not lead to legal action against their parents, the government’s primary focus is to hold social media companies accountable. Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission clarified that this policy is not designed to keep children away from the internet but to create a safe and age-appropriate digital environment for them.