The Malaysian government has announced a strict decision to ban children under 16 from using social media starting next year. According to Communications Secretary Bahmi Badzil, “From 2026, children below 16 years of age will not be allowed to access or create accounts on social media platforms. The government is currently drafting the law to enforce this ban.” The new rule will apply to platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Any attempt by children under 16 to use these platforms, either by creating accounts or managing them, will be considered illegal. The decision aims to protect children from online threats such as cyberbullying, harassment, and exposure to inappropriate content. To implement the ban effectively, the government is working closely with tech companies, child welfare organizations, and educators to finalize the necessary regulations. This move follows similar initiatives in other countries. For instance, the Australian government plans to implement a social media restriction for children under 13 starting this December. The Malaysian authorities have emphasized that the ban is part of a broader effort to safeguard children’s online safety and ensure responsible social media use.
