Malaysia has taken a bold step to shield its youngest citizens from online risks, enforcing new rules from Monday that bar children under 16 from owning social media accounts.
The move, hailed as part of a global push for safer digital spaces, comes amid growing concern over the impact of platforms on children's mental health.
The regulations require major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to introduce age-verification systems and block underage users. Companies failing to comply face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (USD 2.5 million). Parents, however, will not be penalised if children bypass the restrictions.
Officials say the aim is not to cut off internet access but to ensure age-appropriate safeguards. "These measures strengthen protection for children while reassuring parents navigating complex digital risks," Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Commission noted.
The rules also mandate "safety-by-design" features, curbing manipulative tools that encourage compulsive use and requiring swift action against harmful content.
Now Malaysia joins countries like Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia in tightening age-based restrictions, while others including Britain, France, and South Korea are studying similar measures. Tech companies have yet to reveal how they will comply, though regulators have promised a grace period for implementation.