The Malaysian government plans to officially ban children under the age of 16 from using social networks starting in 2026.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated that the decision aims to protect young people from serious risks such as cyberbullying, online fraud, and sexual exploitation. The government is currently studying the experience of countries like Australia, which have implemented similar bans, and expects social media platforms to comply with these rules starting next year.
It should be noted that Malaysia has recently strengthened its control over social media and requires major platforms to obtain licenses. This move comes amid global concerns over children’s mental health, with tech giants like TikTok, Meta, and Google facing lawsuits.
