Malaysia plans to prohibit social media use for children under 16 starting in 2026, joining Australia and several European nations implementing age restrictions on digital platforms, per Al Jazeera.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has announced that the government is examining age restriction mechanisms used in Australia and other countries. The minister cited concerns about protecting youth from cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse.
“We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts,” Fadzil said in a statement.
Malaysia has increased scrutiny of social media companies in recent years in response to what it claims is rising harmful content, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion and royalty. Platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users in Malaysia now require licenses under regulation that took effect in January 2025.
Southeast Asia’s digital economy maintains 117.8% mobile penetration and 78.2% internet penetration, with 55-65% of internet users spending on digital products, according to a recent AnyMind Group report.
Regional Regulations
Australia’s ban takes effect December 10, requiring major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, Twitch, and YouTube) to prevent users under 16 from maintaining accounts. Pinterest received an exemption.
From December 10, platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children under 16 from having accounts, with courts determining final platform eligibility. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 establishes fines of up to AU$49.5 million (~US$32 million) for non-compliance.
France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece are jointly testing a template for an age verification app.
Indonesia announced plans in January to set a minimum age for social media users, but later issued less stringent regulations requiring platforms to filter negative content and impose stronger age verification measures.
Platform Responses
Meta, TikTok, and Snap confirmed in parliamentary testimony that they will implement Australia’s ban despite opposing the legislation. Meta plans to contact approximately 450,000 underage account holders across Instagram and Facebook. TikTok identified 200,000 underage Australian accounts, while Snap counted 440,000.
Platforms will employ automated behavior-tracking software to identify potentially underage users claiming to be over 16. Meta and TikTok indicated they will refer users incorrectly flagged as underage to third-party age-estimation tools.
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Malaysia plans to prohibit social media use for children under 16 starting in 2026, joining Australia and several European nations implementing age restrictions on digital platforms, per Al Jazeera.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has announced that the government is examining age restriction mechanisms used in Australia and other countries. The minister cited concerns about protecting youth from cyberbullying, financial scams, and child sexual abuse.
“We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts,” Fadzil said in a statement.
Malaysia has increased scrutiny of social media companies in recent years in response to what it claims is rising harmful content, including online gambling and posts related to race, religion and royalty. Platforms and messaging services with more than eight million users in Malaysia now require licenses under regulation that took effect in January 2025.
Southeast Asia’s digital economy maintains 117.8% mobile penetration and 78.2% internet penetration, with 55-65% of internet users spending on digital products, according to a recent AnyMind Group report.
Regional Regulations
Australia’s ban takes effect December 10, requiring major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, Twitch, and YouTube) to prevent users under 16 from maintaining accounts. Pinterest received an exemption.
From December 10, platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent Australian children under 16 from having accounts, with courts determining final platform eligibility. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 establishes fines of up to AU$49.5 million (~US$32 million) for non-compliance.
France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece are jointly testing a template for an age verification app.
Indonesia announced plans in January to set a minimum age for social media users, but later issued less stringent regulations requiring platforms to filter negative content and impose stronger age verification measures.
Platform Responses
Meta, TikTok, and Snap confirmed in parliamentary testimony that they will implement Australia’s ban despite opposing the legislation. Meta plans to contact approximately 450,000 underage account holders across Instagram and Facebook. TikTok identified 200,000 underage Australian accounts, while Snap counted 440,000.
Platforms will employ automated behavior-tracking software to identify potentially underage users claiming to be over 16. Meta and TikTok indicated they will refer users incorrectly flagged as underage to third-party age-estimation tools.