Platforms Required to Verify Ages and Block Underage Accounts
Malaysia has begun enforcing new regulations that prohibit children under the age of 16 from owning social media accounts, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen online safety protections for young users.
The rules, which took effect on Monday, require major social media platforms to implement age-verification systems and prevent users below 16 from creating accounts. The regulations apply to platforms with at least eight million users, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Furthermore, authorities have warned that companies failing to comply with the new requirements could face fines of up to 10 million ringgit. However, parents will not face penalties if children manage to bypass the restrictions.
Officials said the measures aim to shield young users from harmful content, cyberbullying, online exploitation and platform features that encourage excessive screen time.
Meanwhile, technology companies have not yet provided detailed plans explaining how they will fully implement the new requirements.
Government Emphasizes Safety as Global Trend Gains Momentum
Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission stressed that the policy does not seek to restrict children’s access to the internet or digital technology. Instead, regulators want online service providers to introduce stronger safeguards and create age-appropriate digital environments.
Additionally, platforms must adopt safety-by-design measures, including protections against manipulative features that encourage compulsive use. Companies are also expected to take action against underage accounts and remove harmful content more effectively.
Authorities confirmed that social media providers will receive a grace period to complete the rollout of age-verification systems and other required safeguards.
The move places Malaysia among a growing number of countries pursuing stricter online protections for minors. Governments in Australia, Türkiye, Brazil and Indonesia have already introduced or announced similar measures, while several European and Asian nations continue to evaluate comparable policies.
The growing regulatory trend reflects increasing concern about the impact of social media on children’s mental health, privacy and online safety.
As governments worldwide push for greater accountability from technology companies, Malaysia’s new framework represents another significant effort to balance digital access with stronger protections for younger internet users in an increasingly complex online environment.
