Children under 16 years old can no longer open up social media accounts in Malaysia under a new law. The rule will come into effect on 1st June and is part of the government’s plans to make the internet a safer place for young people. But there are questions of privacy, enforcement, and the uses to which technology firms will put this new legislation.

New Rules for Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with a minimum of eight million users in Malaysia, will have to implement age-verification systems to comply with the new regulations. These systems aim to prevent users under 16 from creating new accounts.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it will introduce age verification for existing users over the next six months. The commission will give users identified as under 16 one month to download or transfer their data, including photos and videos, before applying restrictions. Companies that fail to follow the rules could face fines of up to RM10 million (about S$3.03 million).

Protecting Children Online

The government said the policy aims to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and platform features that encourage excessive use. Officials said the regulations do not aim to stop children from using digital technology. Instead, the rules require platforms to improve safety measures and take stronger action against harmful content and underage accounts.