FROM next year, children aged 16 and below will be prohibited from having their own social media accounts, said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
"The move is aimed to protecting from online harm," he said, adding that this was a decision by Cabinet.
"We hope that by next year, social media platforms will comply with the government's decision to prohibit those under 16 from creating accounts.
"Apart from the Online Safety Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act, the government is also looking into the implementation of age limits as done in Australia and other countries, especially in terms of mechanisms," he said
Fahmi explained that it is among the government's initiatives through his ministry to curb cross-age cybercrimes, including protecting them from sexual predators (pedophiles).
He explained that one way to implement it is through user identity verification (eKYC) from social media platforms.
“(Verification is) by using official government documents such as passports, MyKad and MyDigital ID.
“We expect that within the next year, social media platforms will be able to implement it,” he said.
Therefore, he hopes that all parties can work together and play an important role in ensuring that the internet in the country is safe.
“I believe that if the government, enforcement agencies, not just parents, play a role, we can ensure that the internet in Malaysia is not only fast and widespread and cheap but most importantly safe, especially for families and children,” he added. – November 23, 2025
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