Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s following Australia's lead

Monday 24 November 2025 - 16:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s following Australia's lead

Malaysia announced plans to prohibit social media use by individuals under the age of 16 starting in 2026, aligning with Australia’s pioneering restrictions that come into effect in December 2025. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the Cabinet’s approval of the measure, emphasizing the government’s intent to safeguard youth from online threats including cyberbullying, scams, and sexual exploitation. Malaysia is closely examining enforcement strategies used by Australia and other nations, such as electronic age verification via identity documents, though no exact implementation date has been set.

Australia’s upcoming law requires platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, X, and Reddit to block users under 16 or face severe fines. Meta, the operator of Facebook and Instagram, has already begun disabling underage accounts ahead of the December deadline. The bans represent some of the strictest global digital age restrictions aimed at reducing the mental health risks and online harms associated with early social media exposure.

The global movement to raise social media age limits gains traction as many countries such as Denmark, France, Norway, and New Zealand debate or enact similar policies. These initiatives often provoke concerns about practical enforcement and the potential impact on children’s social connections and rights. Critics warn that implementing a blanket age ban may lead to increased data collection or push young users to unregulated platforms. Meanwhile, content creators and advertisers in affected regions express apprehension over economic repercussions linked to restricted youth access.

Malaysia’s approach also includes mandating licenses for platforms with over eight million local users, reinforcing regulatory oversight. The move signals a broader shift toward heightened digital safety laws for minors, reflecting rising international apprehension over the consequences of social media use on children’s well-being.

This comprehensive policy development targets general readers, policy analysts, and professionals monitoring international digital regulations and youth safety trends, providing them with detailed insight into Malaysia’s strategic alignment with global social media age restrictions.