Malaysia will ban social media account registration for all individuals under the age of sixteen from 2026, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
This new regulation raises the minimum age threshold from the present age of 13, after a Cabinet decision in October 2025.
The move is part of Malaysia’s strategy to step up protections for children online in parallel with the implementation of the Online Safety Act, beginning 1 January 2026.​
Details of the Ban
Ministry officials explained that all social media platforms will be required to use electronic know your customer (eKYC) systems for age verification.
Each account registration will need official identification – such as a MyKad, passport or MyDigital ID – to confirm the user’s age.
The government expects all platform providers to be ready for eKYC implementation by next year.​
Political and Legislative Context
The proposal comes in response to concerns regarding rising incidents of cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and behavioural issues among youths in Malaysia.
Members of Parliament and child protection advocates have voiced support for the ban, citing early, unregulated exposure to social media as a contributing factor to these problems.
Implementation Timeline and Related Measures
Malaysia’s Communications Ministry indicated that platform compliance will be strictly evaluated from 2026 onward.
Registration procedures on social media platforms must reference official documentation, preventing underage users from bypassing the new rules.
Fahmi Fadzil emphasised that Malaysia would study other countries’ methods of enforcement, and that coordination with technology companies is underway to define immediate steps toward meeting technical requirements.
The Online Safety Act is set to provide further provisions for child protection when it comes into force, making these changes a core element of the national online safety policy.​
Malaysia expects the debate around child online safety to keep evolving, with ongoing engagement from platform providers and government representatives shaping the practical application of these new rules.​
For now, ministry officials are reiterating calls for parental supervision and encouraging young children to spend more time on outdoor activities and less on digital screens.
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