The government is aiming to enforce a nationwide ban on social media accounts for children aged 16 and below starting next year, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced yesterday. He said the move is intended to curb cross-generational cybercrime and protect minors from online threats, including sexual predators.
“That was the Cabinet’s decision — to prohibit those under 16 from having social media accounts. We hope that by next year, social media platforms will comply with the government’s directive,” he said after officiating the closing ceremony of the Cyber Scam Awareness Seminar for the Indian community.
While Fahmi did not reveal the full mechanism behind the proposed enforcement, he said the government is studying global models, including Australia, which will implement a similar ban next month. Beginning Dec 10, Australia will deactivate all accounts belonging to users under 16 and block new account registrations until they reach the age threshold. Non-compliance could see platforms fined up to A$49.5 million.
Fahmi added that Malaysia is reviewing the possibility of a general age limit through the Online Safety Act — set to take effect on Jan 1 — and the Communications and Multimedia Act. The government is also assessing potential enforcement methods to ensure compliance.
One option being considered is mandatory eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) verification using government-issued identification such as MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID. The digital verification process uses biometric authentication and document checks to confirm a user’s identity. “We expect platforms to be able to implement this by next year,” he said.
Fahmi stressed that internet safety requires cooperation from all parties — the government, regulators, and parents. He urged parents not to encourage social media use among children under 16, and instead promote outdoor activities and supervised gadget use.
The minister first floated a potential ban for users under 13 on July 29 before announcing on Oct 17 that the Cabinet had discussed raising the minimum age to 16, aligning with countries like Australia and Indonesia.
The proposal comes amid rising concerns over cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and behavioural issues among schoolchildren linked to early and unregulated exposure to social media. Child rights groups and experts have welcomed the move, with Yayasan Chow Kit co-founder Dr Hartini Zainudin calling mandatory age verification a “cultural shift” that signals tech companies must prioritise children’s safety.
Several MPs have also voiced support for the ban. Last month, Julau MP Datuk Larry Soon urged immediate implementation of a minimum age requirement for social media access and account registration.
