Social Media Access Restriction for Under-16s in Malaysia (2026)

Regulation Restricting Access to Social Media for Those Under 16 in Malaysia, announced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on 22 May 2026 and effective from 1 June 2026, requires social media platforms with at least 8 million users in Malaysia to implement age verification systems to prevent individuals under 16 from creating accounts. The regulation was introduced to protect children from harmful online content and cyberbullying, placing Malaysia among countries worldwide that have enacted similar restrictions.

The regulation was publicly announced by the MCMC on 22 May 2026. Effective from the implementation date of 1 June 2026, social media platforms operating in the country with at least 8 million users—including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—are required to activate age verification systems and block account creation by users under 16.

For existing users, the age verification process will be completed within a six-month transition period following the regulation’s enforcement. Users identified as under 16 will be granted a one-month period to download or transfer their data, including photos and videos, after which their accounts will be restricted or subject to other actions.

Platforms that fail to comply may face an administrative fine of 10 million Malaysian Ringgit (approximately 2.5 million US dollars). Parents who enable their children to bypass the law will not be subject to any penalties.

The MCMC has stated that the regulation will be implemented with a results-oriented and flexible approach, allowing platforms to adopt solutions that meet security, privacy, and legal requirements. Obligations for platforms include enhancing user safety, deterring excessive usage, and preventing access to harmful content by underage accounts.

The Malaysian government has stated that the measures aim to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and platform features designed to encourage excessive use. The regulation does not seek to restrict children’s access to digital technology but rather to provide age-appropriate safeguards and limitations against high-risk platform functionalities.

Malaysian authorities classify online gambling, fraud, child pornography and exploitation, cyberbullying, and content related to race, religion, and the monarchy as harmful categories. In light of a marked increase in harmful online content in recent years, authorities have intensified oversight of social media companies.

Countries that have enacted or are implementing regulations restricting social media access for those under 16 include Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia. Australia was the first country to introduce such legislation, with the law taking effect in December 2025. Indonesia, as the first country in Southeast Asia to adopt this measure, implemented a similar policy in March 2026.

United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, South Korea, and Poland are currently in the process of drafting or reviewing similar regulations.