Malaysia Follows Indonesia's Lead, Restricting Digital Accounts for Children Under 16

The Malaysian government is tightening oversight of digital platforms by requiring account restrictions for users under the age of 16, starting from 1 June 2026. This policy is part of the neighbouring nation’s efforts to reduce exposure to dangerous internet content for children and adolescents.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced on Friday (22/5) that all digital platforms will be required to implement age protection mechanisms, including restrictions on registration and account ownership for minors. Additionally, digital platforms are being asked to strengthen content governance within their services to prevent the spread of harmful material.

The MCMC stated that these new regulations are intended to provide age-appropriate protection against online features deemed high-risk for children and teenagers. However, the regulator is providing a grace period for digital platform companies to complete verification processes and adjust their systems to comply with the new rules.

“The implementation approach remains results-based, allowing service providers flexibility in applying solutions that meet security, privacy, and legal requirements,” the MCMC wrote, as reported by CNA on Saturday (23/5/2026).

This move adds to Malaysia’s list of strict policies towards social media companies in recent years. Reuters reported that the Malaysian government has become increasingly aggressive in monitoring digital platforms following a sharp surge in dangerous online content. Local authorities have categorised online gambling, digital scams, child pornography, grooming, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion, and the monarchy as serious threats in the digital space.

Furthermore, Malaysia plans to implement a social media user age verification system in 2026. This policy follows a global trend of limiting social media access for minors. Previously, several countries, including Indonesia, were known to be considering bans on social media for users under 16. The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), released regulations restricting social media access for minors via the PP Tunas in March 2025. These rules are set to prohibit children under the age of 16 from holding social media accounts starting in March 2026.