Malaysia to ban social media for under-16s in 2026
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 2 hours ago | JP Asia Desk
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Malaysia will block social media account creation for under-16s from 2026 and require eKYC age checks, prompting debate over safety benefits, privacy risks, and enforcement challenges.Summary
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia plans to introduce one of its most sweeping online safety measures by banning individuals under 16 from creating social media accounts beginning in 2026, a step officials say is aimed at curbing cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, and digital scams targeting younger users.
Safety Push and New Rules
Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that social media platforms will be required to implement electronic know-your-customer verification to confirm a user’s age before an account can be created. The mandatory eKYC requirement shifts responsibility to platforms to ensure minors cannot register, forming the core of the government’s expanded child-safety strategy.
Implementation Challenges
Critics caution that enforcing the ban may prove difficult, citing the possibility of teenagers circumventing verification tools and inconsistencies across global platforms. Privacy advocates also warn that relying on sensitive identity data could expose users to new security risks if the information is not properly protected.
Industry and Public Response
Child-safety organizations have broadly welcomed the move, but technology experts and civil society groups stress the need for transparent implementation rules and clear accountability standards for platforms. The government has said additional details on compliance, oversight, and enforcement mechanisms will be released ahead of the 2026 rollout.
KEY POINTS:
- Malaysia will bar under-16s from creating social media accounts starting in 2026
- Platforms must adopt eKYC age verification for all new users
- Officials say the measure targets cyberbullying, scams, and online exploitation
- Critics raise concerns about privacy, data security, and enforcement feasibility
- Government to release detailed implementation guidelines before rollout
PHOTO: AI-generated and for illustrative purposes only.
