Malaysia Bans Social Media Accounts for Users Under Sixteen

(MENAFN) Malaysia has started implementing new regulations that prevent children under the age of 16 from registering for social media platforms, marking a significant step in tightening online safety rules for minors.

According to reports, the new policy is part of the country’s broader Online Safety Act 2025, which aims to improve digital protection for younger users. Under the regulation, social media companies operating in Malaysia are now required to introduce strict age-verification systems that rely on government-issued identification or other officially recognized documents.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission confirmed that the rules officially came into effect on Monday.

Under the updated framework, only individuals aged 16 and above will be permitted to create accounts and access platform features designed for eligible users.

Authorities also indicated that existing accounts will not be affected immediately. Instead, users will be gradually verified over a transition period of up to six months. Those found to be under the age threshold will be given a one-month window to download or move their personal data before their accounts face restrictions or removal measures.

The regulation applies to major global platforms with large user bases, including Meta Platforms Inc. (Facebook and Instagram), ByteDance (TikTok), and Google (YouTube).

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