Malaysia To Ban Social Media For Anyone Under 16 From Next Year

The new rule will require age checks using MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID under eKYC.

By Sadho Ram | 24 Nov 2025, 11:00 AM

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Cover image via Cheng Yiheng/Xinhua via AFP & Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via AFP

Malaysians under the age of 16 will no longer be allowed to create social media accounts starting next year

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that the move is part of a broader initiative to enhance online safety for children under the upcoming Online Safety Act, which will take effect on 1 January 2026.

According to the New Straits Times, Fahmi said all social media platforms will be required to verify users' ages using electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) checks. Users will need to confirm their identity with official documents such as MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID.

"We expect all platform providers to be ready to implement eKYC by next year," he was quoted as saying.

Fahmi added that Malaysia is looking at international models, noting that Australia will begin enforcing its own under-16 social media ban next month

Australia's rules will require platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, and Kick to deactivate existing under-16 accounts and block new ones starting 10 December.

In Australia, platforms that fail to take "reasonable steps" could be fined up to AUD49.5 million (RM132.5 million). However, services like YouTube Kids, Google Classroom, LinkedIn, and Pinterest are exempt under the new rule.

Fahmi said Malaysia will study how other countries implement their restrictions to find the best approach locally.

The government's push comes amid rising concern over cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and discipline issues among young social media users

Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a string of violent cases in schools were tied to unregulated phone and social media use.

"The responsibility, of course, goes back to parents and schools, but almost all of these issues stem from the (unchecked) use of mobile phones and social media," he said, adding that action was needed even if the move "will definitely trigger mixed reactions".

His comments followed several high-profile incidents, including the murder of a Form Four student in Bandar Utama allegedly by a 14-year-old schoolmate, a gang rape case in Melaka involving Form Five students, and the death of a 10-year-old boy in Negeri Sembilan who had earlier been the target of a disturbing note written in his schoolbook.

Separately, the government is also studying whether to ban Roblox, after concerns that the gaming platform may negatively influence children

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri said earlier that any decision will take into account Australia's upcoming regulations on the platform.

Her remarks came after police began probing whether Roblox influenced a violent incident in Batu Pahat, where a 9-year-old boy allegedly slashed his 6-year-old brother's neck after obsessively playing the game.

In the meantime, Fahmi urged parents to spend more time supervising their children's online habits and encourage outdoor activities instead of long hours on gadgets.

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Malaysia To Ban Social Media For Anyone Under 16 From Next Year

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