Malaysia planning to bar under-16s from social media
The Malaysian government is planning to ban social media use for users under 16, as part of a wider effort to improve online safety for children, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
Fahmi said the government expects platform providers to roll out electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) systems by next year, using MyKad, passports or MyDigital ID to verify age.
“We expect all platform providers to be ready to implement eKYC by next year,” he told The Star.
He also noted that Malaysia is closely observing Australia’s similar move: from 10 December 2025, Australian social media platforms will be required to prevent users under 16 from having accounts.
Under Australia’s Social Media Minimum Age law, platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, YouTube, Reddit and others must take “reasonable steps” to deactivate or block accounts of under-16s.
Fahmi added that parents should encourage their children to spend less time on screens and increase outdoor activities as part of the national push for safer digital habits.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Canada lifts visa requirement for Qatari citizens
Ottawa: Canada lifted the visa requirement for citizens of Qatar, the federal government announced Tuesday, allowing Qatari nationals to travel to Canada for business or tourism without a visa.
36 dead, hundreds evacuated as deadly blaze engulfs Hong Kong high-rises
A devastating fire tore through seven high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, claiming 36 lives and leaving 279 people reported missing, media reports said.
7 Hong Kong towers ablaze: 13 dead in city’s worst high-rise fire in years
A devastating fire tore through seven high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing 13 people, injuring more than a dozen others, and forcing hundreds to flee as towering flames lit up the night sky, media reports said.
Where is Imran Khan? PTI chief's sisters, supporters say no contact with jailed ex-Pakistan PM amid death rumours
Rawalpindi/IBNS: Amid a wave of rumours alleging that former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan "mysteriously" died in prison, his three sisters have come forward, accusing the police of violently assaulting them when they attempted to meet him.
Latest News
Canada lifts visa requirement for Qatari citizens
PM Modi bursts into laughter as Safran chief jokes about being ‘Made in India’ during virtual event
36 dead, hundreds evacuated as deadly blaze engulfs Hong Kong high-rises
Haryana sets record as ‘HR88B8888’ becomes India’s costliest number plate at ₹1.17 crore
