Malaysia Follows Indonesia's Lead with Age Restrictions on Social Media Use

Malaysia has prohibited the use of social media for children under the age of 16, effective from early June. This regulation follows the precedent set by other nations, including Indonesia, which has also implemented restrictions on certain age groups using social media platforms.

However, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has clarified that the new rule is not intended to ban children from technology entirely. Instead, it serves as a way to increase the responsibility of social media companies, parents, and guardians in protecting children online. “This step is not to prohibit child users from accessing the internet or to deny access to technology,” stated the commission, as reported by Reuters.

The Malaysian communications regulator noted that the ban applies to children under 16. Platforms such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and Alphabet (Google) are now required to perform age verification based on government records. The age verification process for existing users will be implemented over the next six months, and platforms that fail to comply face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (approximately £1.4 million).

Malaysia’s neighbouring Indonesia has also increased oversight of social media companies following a sharp rise in harmful content over recent years. Furthermore, the Indonesian government has taken firm action against material attempting to incite racial or religious tension, or criticise the monarchy.

In Indonesia, restrictions on accounts for children under 16 are outlined in the PP Tunas regulation. Implementation began on 28 March 2026, with eight platforms already complying with the rules. These high-risk platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, YouTube, TikTok, and Roblox. “But we are not stopping at these eight platforms. Because in the digital realm, if we intervene in one or two, they will simply shift to others,” said the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, during a press conference in Jakarta.