Malaysia is preparing to begin implementing new rules aimed at protecting children on the Internet, as the decision to ban the use of social media for those under the age of 16 will enter into force as of June 1, 2026. The new rules require major platforms such as Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, in addition to Tiktok and YouTube, to implement strict systems to verify the ages of users.

According to the new regulations, children under 16 years old will not be able to create new accounts on communication platforms inside Malaysia, while existing users will be required to confirm their ages through official verification mechanisms that rely on government ID cards or documents approved by competent authorities. The platforms will also be forced to block any user who fails to pass the verification process from accessing their services.

The goal of banning social media in Malaysia
The Malaysian government said that this step aims to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and unsafe interactions, in addition to limiting the use of features that may not be appropriate for their ages. Companies will also commit to providing clear tools for reporting harmful content, while adding safety settings designed for younger age groups.

A global wave to restrict the use of social media
The Malaysian decision comes after an increasing global wave to restrict the use of social networking sites by minors, as Australia preceded Malaysia in passing a similar law, while other countries such as the United Kingdom and Spain are considering taking similar steps.

Although the implementation date is close, the Malaysian government has granted technology companies an additional “reasonable” period to fully implement age verification systems, without specifying an exact time period yet.