Malaysia began enforcing new rules on Monday that prevent children younger than 16 from social media. This comes amid growing global concern over youth online safety, but critics have raised concerns over cutting children off from valuable platforms.
The new policy includes age verification for existing users. If a user is identified as being under the age of 16, they will have a month to download their data before restrictions will apply. Companies that do not comply may face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (USD$2.5 million).
Some parents have welcomed the change, while others have criticized the ban. For example, one parent, Shaun Hew worries that a sudden cutoff from social media access could lead children to seek unregulated ways to bypass these regulations. Additionally, Benjamin Loh, a social science lecturer in Malaysia said that the requirement of government identification for age verification could lead to storing of personal data, as well as some unintended consequences. These include the marginalization of stateless individuals, undocumented individuals, and members of other minority communities who need their anonymity for their safety online.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk released a statement Friday in response to this and other recent social media bans, cautioning that the bans can be easily circumvented to access riskier spaces. Türk also stressed that the main safety concerns with social media are a result of “deliberate commercial choices,” meaning that changes should target business practices, rather than youth users.
The Malaysian government announced this blanket ban on November 23, 2025 with the Online Safety Act 2025 . Following the announcement, Kiran Kaur, Amnesty International Malaysia’s Freedom of Expression Campaigner criticized the policy, stating:
A blanket ban is not the answer to legitimate concerns about the harmful effects of social media on children and young people. This issue demands a more nuanced approach, including the targeted regulation of online platforms to protect children’s privacy and personal data while prioritizing their human rights. The government should implement safeguards against algorithm-driven application of harmful content and default profiling, rather than restricting young people’s ability to connect with others and seek out information.
Similarly, in December 2025, UNICEF published a press release welcoming the commitment of Malaysian authorities to tackle threats like child sexual abuse material, while warning that age restrictions should not be a standalone solution. Instead, UNICEF advocated for a “comprehensive, child-rights-based approach” including safer platform design and investing in digital literacy and parenting support.
Sanja Saranovic, Deputy Representative for UNICEF Malaysia recognized the nuanced issue, expressing:
Families are overwhelmed. Children are encountering bullying, grooming and sexual exploitation online, and the status quo is clearly failing them. But simply banning younger users from social media will not solve the problem. Many children will still find ways to go online, often through less regulated platforms, where it is harder to protect them and they will be less likely to seek help when something goes wrong.
Malaysia joins other countries, including Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia that have announced similar age-restricted access to social media.
