Malaysia may ban users under 16 from using social media starting next year

With Australia’s ban on social media use for users under 16 looming, Malaysia now appears to be planning to implement a similar system starting next year.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadl said that the administration is studying regulations to implement age restrictions on social media platforms, preventing users under the age of 16 from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X, Reuters. I mentioned.

“We hope that by next year, social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to prevent those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts,” the report quoted Fadl as saying.

Malaysia will join a growing list of countries implementing age restrictions or verification measures to protect children from… Risks associated with using social media. Australia already has He issued a law It will come into effect on December 10, requiring social media sites to deactivate accounts belonging to users under the age of 16.

France, Denmark, Italy and Norway are working on the same thing Age restriction measures For social media platforms, and in the United States, 24 states have enacted this law so far Age verification Laws. Utah It became the first American state Require app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors who download apps.

UK Internet safety law It also came into effect in July, requiring social media and other online platforms to block children’s access to harmful content or face huge fines. The UK requires strict age tests For high-risk content, such as self-harm and eating disorder content, to protect users under 18.