Malaysia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission began enforcing new online safety regulations on June 1, 2026, prohibiting children under 16 from registering social media accounts. Established under the Online Safety Act 2025, the Child Protection Code and Risk Mitigation Code apply to platforms with at least eight million users, including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

To comply, providers must implement age-verification systems using government-issued records, such as the MyKad smart ID card and live facial biometrics via the MyDigital ID platform. Existing users under 16 have one month to transfer their data before facing suspension, while a broader verification rollout for all users will occur over six months. Non-compliant companies face fines of up to 10 million Malaysian ringgit.

Beyond age limits, the Risk Mitigation Code requires platforms to curb deepfakes and mandate identity verification for advertisers to combat financial scams and online gambling. The government asserts that MyDigital ID protects privacy by not storing biometric data, though critics and academics warn that the requirement for government IDs raises privacy concerns. Other critics, including Article 19, argue the blanket ban may violate children's rights and could be easily bypassed since parents face no legal penalties for helping children circumvent the rules.