Malaysia has decided to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms.
The announcement was made by Malaysia’s Minister of Communications, who stated that the ban will come into effect next year. The government is reviewing age restrictions on social media use in countries such as Australia and others to protect children from online threats, including cybercrime, financial fraud, and sexual exploitation.
The Minister expressed hope that social media companies will comply with the government directive and prevent users under 16 from creating accounts.
Globally, concerns are increasing over the negative effects of social media on the mental health of minors. Earlier this month, Denmark implemented a ban on social media use for children under 15, while last year, Australia passed legislation restricting social media access for children under 16. In the United States, legal actions have also been taken against social media companies concerning underage users.
Malaysia’s move is part of a growing international trend to protect young users from the potential harms of online platforms and ensure safer digital environments for children.
