• Malaysia will impose a ban on social media for users under 16 starting from next year.
• This initiative aims to protect youths from online threats like cyberbullying and exploitation.
• The ban follows similar actions by countries such as Australia and regulations in Europe.
• Social media platforms are required to implement age verification measures under the new regulations.
• Parents may face penalties if they allow underage children to use social media.

The Malaysian government has announced its plan to ban social media usage for individuals under the age of 16 starting next year. This initiative aligns Malaysia with a growing number of countries introducing measures to limit children's access to digital platforms due to concerns about child safety, as stated by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He highlighted the need to protect youths from online dangers including cyberbullying and financial scams, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The proposed ban reflects a significant move to address health concerns linked to social media usage among children. Recognizing the potential harm, Fadzil noted that the government is working on legislation that would make it illegal for those below 16 years to create or maintain accounts on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. This step is part of Malaysia's broader strategy to combat online threats and follows similar regulations being monitored globally, as shared by India Times.

Malaysia's decision arrives amidst an increasing wave of international scrutiny concerning the impacts of social media on children. For instance, Australia is set to enforce its own ban on underage social media usage beginning in December 2025. The Malaysian government is also keenly observing how various nations are addressing these matters, corroborated by reports from Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

In addition to enforcing the ban, Malaysia aims to mandate social media platforms to deploy more effective age-verification measures. There are also plans for potential penalties for parents who allow underage children to bypass these restrictions. This regulatory framework is still under discussion, with Fadzil emphasizing the government's collaboration with tech companies and child welfare groups to finalize the guidelines before implementation in 2026, according to Channel News Asia, Al Jazeera, and India Times.