Malaysia Considers Social Media Ban for Kids Below 16

With countries tightening online safety rules, parents may soon see new limits on how children use apps and platforms

With more children leaning towards screentime and social media, countries have sounded the alarm about its effects and are considering restrictions. More kids opted to play with tablets and smartphones, chatting with friends online, and sometimes it becomes a battle at the dinner table for them to let it go.

Malaysia may soon join the growing list of countries taking stricter steps to protect children online. The government recently announced that it is studying a proposal to ban social media use for kids under 16, with potential implementation as early as 2026 if plans move forward.

A Global Push to Protect Kids Online

Around the world, countries are confronting the realities of how deeply social media affects young people—from their mental health to their safety. Australia and Denmark have made headlines for their moves to restrict social media access among minors, and now Malaysia is carefully watching how those measures play out.

According to a report from Reuters, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia is currently reviewing how countries like Australia are addressing online risks. Their goal is simple but challenging: shield children from cyberbullying, child exploitation, financial scams, and other online harms.

“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 video shared by The Star.

Globally, concerns about the impact of social media on children continue to rise. Tech giants such as TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta are facing mounting lawsuits in the United States over how their platforms affect young users. This international scrutiny is pushing more governments to rethink how minors should navigate the digital world.

Australia Sets the Tone

Australia, which caused major buzz for its decision to ban social media for children under 16, is set to roll out its policy starting December 10. Many countries see this as the litmus test—if Australia’s approach successfully reduces online harm, others may follow.

In Europe, countries like France, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Denmark are developing a shared age verification app, announced in July, to better control how minors access online platforms.

Will Asia Move in the Same Direction?

Malaysia’s announcement has sparked discussions across the region. Some Asian countries have been exploring similar measures, though not all are leaning toward outright bans.

• Indonesia initially proposed a minimum age requirement for social media users, but later shifted toward requiring platforms to strengthen content filtering and improve age verification.
  
• The Philippines is also in the conversation. Senator Panfilo Lacson previously filed a bill seeking to restrict social media access for children under 16. The proposal remains pending, and child rights advocates emphasize the need for careful review. Many children, they point out, rely on online spaces for connection, support, and self-expression.
  

For Now, Parents Should Stay Alert

Malaysia’s plan has certainly caught the attention of families and policymakers in Southeast Asia. As the digital world becomes increasingly complex and AI continues to transform online experiences, parents are becoming the first line of defense in guiding their children’s social media habits.

For now, much depends on how countries like Australia implement their new rules—and how tech companies respond.

Until more details become clear, what we can do as parents is stay informed, stay involved, and keep an open dialogue with our kids about their online lives. The landscape is changing quickly, and so must the way we guide young people through it.

More on Social Media

When Should Our Kids Have Social Media Accounts?
Winning Parenting Made Easy Thanks To TikTok
Hey Kids! Social Media Is A Big Responsibility