Girls look at their mobile phones in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in a 2021 photo. [AP]
Girls look at their mobile phones in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in a 2021 photo. [AP]

Malaysia has joined Australia, Indonesia and other countries in banning children under 16 from creating social media accounts.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission began enforcing new online safety regulations Sunday, requiring major social media platforms to implement age-verification systems and block accounts belonging to users under 16, according to AP and other international media reports.

Social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube have at least 8 million users in Malaysia.

The measures will be rolled out in phases over six months.

After a one-month grace period, users identified as under 16 will be barred from downloading or transferring data, including photos and videos.

Platforms must also establish systems for reporting and responding to content complaints, properly label manipulated content and put in place systematic safeguards to reduce the risk of harmful material.

Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.53 million).

However, minors who violate the rules and their parents will not face penalties.

The commission said the measures are intended "to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying and platform features that promote excessive use."

Citing risks such as exposure to harmful content and unsafe interactions with other users, the commission said children "are particularly vulnerable to online harm during their cognitive and emotional development, as their ability to assess risks, manage online interactions and make informed decisions is still developing."

Australia was the first country in the world to enact a law banning minors from social media entirely, regardless of parental consent, with the legislation taking effect last December.

Brazil, Indonesia and several other countries have since introduced age-based restrictions on children's use of social media. The United Kingdom, France, Spain and Denmark are among those exploring similar measures.


jshan@heraldcorp.com