Malaysia plans social media ban for under 16s

Malaysia plans a social media ban for under-16s. The government of the Southeast Asian country announced this, as reported by the local daily newspaper The Star.

It is necessary to protect children and adolescents from online dangers such as cyberbullying, financial fraud, and sexual abuse, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, according to the newspaper. His government expects platform operators to introduce electronic identity verification for their customers next year.

According to the government's plans, users will in the future have to prove their age using their passport, ID card, or the digital identity MyDigital ID. The social media ban for children, according to the minister, is part of the country's Online Safety Act, which is set to come into force on January 1, 2026.

Australia led the way

Fahmi referred to other countries that have already implemented such measures: Australia was the first country to introduce a social media ban for children a year ago. Meanwhile, other countries are following suit, including Denmark, France, Greece, and Spain. Such a measure is also being discussed in Germany.

Minister Fahmi said Malaysia will examine and evaluate the procedures in other countries. “Other countries may have their methods. We will look closely to find the best way to ensure that children under 16 are not allowed to use social media.”

However, there are also dissenting voices: The German Children's Fund criticizes a possible social media ban: blanket bans disempower children and adolescents and contradict the right to digital participation and the development of media literacy, said Kai Hanke, managing director of the German Children's Fund.

(wpl)