By Admin 
Malaysia Enforces Social Media Ban: Malaysia has started implementing new rules banning children under 16 from creating social media accounts from Monday (1 June 2026). This step is being considered a part of global efforts to strengthen the online safety of children. However, not everyone agrees with this decision and some people have also expressed concerns about data security and possible surveillance.
Under the new rules, social media platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia will have to implement an age verification system. This includes big platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. These companies will have to ensure that children under 16 years of age cannot create a new account.
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Malaysian government issued instructions
According to the Communications and Multimedia Commission of Malaysia, age verification of existing users will be started within the next 6 months. Users who are below 16 years of age will be given one month time to download or transfer their photos, videos and other data. After this, ban or other action can be imposed on their account. The government has clarified that a fine of up to 10 million ringgit, or about 2.5 million US dollars, can be imposed on social media companies that do not follow these rules. However, if a child succeeds in creating an account by bypassing the rules, then there will be no punishment against his parents.
Ban in countries other than Malaysia
The Malaysian government says that the main objective of these rules is to protect children from harmful material, cyber bullying and excessive use of social media. The government believes that some platform features encourage children to stay online for a long time, which can affect their mental and social life. Many other countries of the world are also taking such steps regarding the online safety of children. Countries such as Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have implemented or announced age-based rules for social media use. At the same time, countries like Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are also considering similar policies.
What is the special purpose of banning social media?
The Regulatory Board of Malaysia has said that the purpose of these rules is not to distance children from digital technology. Rather, it aims to compel social media companies to increase user security, prevent excessive use, and take effective measures against underage users and harmful content. However, technology companies have not yet told how they will follow these rules. Meanwhile, Clara Koh has warned that a complete ban on children under 16 years of age could have the opposite effect. According to him, this may cause teenagers to leave safe and controlled platforms and move to parts of the Internet where monitoring and security measures are less.
Social media banned in Indonesia including Australia
Australia has implemented a complete ban on social media for children under 16 years of age. This rule came into effect from 10 December 2025. After this, Indonesia implemented a legal ban on social media for children under 16 years of age from 28 March 2026. In France, a bill to ban social media for children under 15 years of age has been passed by the Lower House, although it is yet to be approved by the Senate. Denmark is also working on a plan to ban social media for children under 15 years of age.
Ban in many countries of the world
Greece has started preparations to implement a social media ban for children under 15 from January 2027. At the same time, countries like Spain, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey and Britain are also considering new rules and possible restrictions to limit children’s social media use. In Italy, children under 14 years of age require parental permission to use social media. Under the rules already in force in France, parental consent is required for children under 15 years of age. In Germany too, parental permission is required for children between the ages of 13 and 16 to create or use social media accounts.
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