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Malaysia’s Communication Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has made a big announcement. They have announced that from next year only boys and girls above 16 years of age will be able to create accounts on social media.
In today’s fast digital world, children are addicted to Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat since childhood. But the Malaysian government has put a brake on this trend. Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Fahmy Fadzil has made a big announcement.
From next year i.e. 2026, opening a social media account will be completely banned for any child or teenager below 16 years of age. This decision has been passed in the cabinet meeting and its purpose is to protect children from the dangers of the online world. Fahmi Fadzil said that Malaysia is studying the models of Australia and other countries. There, the accounts of people below 16 years of age will be deactivated from December 2025. A similar system will be introduced in Malaysia, where platforms will have to verify the age of users.
Strict steps will be taken
Cyber crimes have increased in Malaysia in the last few years. Especially the cases targeting children have increased. According to statistics, more than 12,000 cyberbullying cases were reported in Malaysia in 2024, of which 40% of the victims were under 15 years of age. Apart from this, financial scams, where children are duped in the name of loans or gift cards from fake accounts and cases of child sexual abuse have also become a matter of concern. Fahmi said that children’s exposure to social media can trap them in the clutches of sexual predators. Their aim is to make the internet fast, affordable and safe, especially for children and families.
Change will come from next year
The Malaysian government believes that children are not mentally and emotionally ready until the age of 16. In such a situation, now eKYC verification will be necessary to open an account. Electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system will be used to create the account. The user will have to scan and upload his National ID card, passport or birth certificate. After this the age will have to be confirmed through AI and biometric check. Companies like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok will have to follow these rules. If a child below 16 years of age creates an account with fake details, the platform will have to detect and close it.
