Malaysia bars under-16s from signing up for social media

Malaysia has implemented a new regulation barring individuals under the age of 16 from registering social media accounts, intensifying efforts to shield minors from harmful online content. The Southeast Asian nation now joins a growing list of countries enacting measures to govern access to online platforms amid rising concerns about the impact of social media on children's well-being and safety.

Starting immediately, social media platforms, including Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Alphabet's YouTube, are mandated to perform age verification using government-issued records, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission. Platforms that fail to comply face potential fines of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million).

The commission clarified that the measure is not intended to restrict children's internet access or deny them technology. Instead, it aims to enhance the responsibility of social media platforms, parents, and guardians in safeguarding minors online. Existing users will undergo age verification over a six-month period. Malaysia has increased its scrutiny of social media companies following a significant rise in harmful online content and is actively addressing material that incites racial or religious tensions or criticizes the monarchy.

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The measure is not intended to prohibit child users from the internet or to deny them access to technology, rather it aims to boost responsibility among social media platforms, parents and guardians in protecting minors online.