Malaysia Plans Tighter Rules on Children’s Social Media Use

Malaysia Plans Tighter Rules on Children’s Social Media Use
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Malaysia’s government announced plans to introduce stricter regulations governing the use of social media by children and teenagers under the age of 16, aiming to strengthen online safety without imposing a blanket ban. Officials said the approach would rely on age-based controls and protective measures, drawing on models adopted in other countries, including Australia.

According to the national news agency Bernama, the proposed framework would include technical safeguards and dedicated child-protection tools designed to reduce exposure to harmful content and unsafe digital practices. The plan also seeks to improve overall platform security and encourage greater responsibility among social media operators in managing underage users.

A pilot phase is scheduled to begin on Jan. 1, 2025, involving the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and selected social media platforms. The trial will focus on testing age-verification systems and enhanced protections within a monitored environment.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the initiative reflects growing concerns over online risks faced by minors and stressed the need for measures that are effective and difficult to bypass. If successful, the controls would be gradually expanded nationwide, potentially shaping future child online safety policies in Southeast Asia.