Malaysia Bars Under-16s From Signing Up On Social Media

In an effort to prevent children from being exposed to dangerous content online, Malaysia's communications regulator announced on Monday, June 1, that the country has started prohibiting those under the age of sixteen from creating accounts on social media platforms.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced on Monday that social media companies, such as Alphabet's YouTube, TikTok, and Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram, would have to verify users' ages using official records.

Social media companies that don't comply risk fines of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million).

According to the statement, "the measure is not intended to prohibit child users from the internet or to deny them access to technology; rather, it aims to boost responsibility among social media platforms, parents, and guardians in protecting minors online."

Malaysia has joined a host of countries like Australia that have barred social media use for children under the age of sixteen.