Malaysia Considers New Social Media Rules For Under-16S

Malaysia's New Approach to Social Media for Kids

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is on the brink of rolling out new regulations aimed at curbing independent social media access for those under 16. This move is a part of their broader initiative to enhance online safety for children and is expected to be enforced by mid-year.

Under these upcoming rules, social media platforms will need to ensure individuals under 16 are not managing accounts without supervision. Even those who already have accounts will be subject to this change.

Global Inspiration and Regional Context

Malaysia's decision follows Australia's pioneering step last December, where it became the first nation to enforce a nationwide under-16 restriction. The "delay, not ban" model, which quarantines accounts until users reach the requisite age, has also piqued interest in France, Spain, and parts of Southeast Asia.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil emphasized the focus on reducing young users' exposure to strangers and harmful online interactions. "This isn't just an age restriction – it's a public health–oriented digital governance shift," noted Dr. Ahmad Rostam Zin of the Malaysia Psychiatric Association.

“This is not merely an age restriction. It is a public health–oriented digital governance shift, treating online harm as a systemic issue rather than an individual behavioural problem.”

Parental Supervision and Technical Integration

Instead of a blanket ban, Malaysia's policy will permit social media access under parental oversight. Cybersecurity specialist M. Selvakumar from Universiti Sains Malaysia revealed that the framework might involve identity verification alongside parental monitoring.

Selvakumar explained, "The child's account is essentially 'delegated' by a verified adult," highlighting the potential limits on contacts and usage to protect young users while allowing supervised online interaction.

Challenges and Future Implementation

A key challenge will be verifying the age of users, with the government expected to harness MyDigital ID and electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) systems. "The eKYC using MyKad is the most immediately feasible route for Malaysian users," Selvakumar pointed out, due to its widespread use.

While the full details are still in development, the anticipated Online Safety Act 2025 will call on platforms to enhance protective measures for young users. Experts underscore the importance of both platform collaboration and parental involvement to achieve the desired safety outcomes.

Ultimately, these changes are likely to place more responsibility on families to oversee children's internet activity, from account creation to daily monitoring.