Social media access for children under 13 in Malaysia is under review as the government considers stricter measures, including a possible ban, to tackle rising online risks and strengthen digital safety.

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Government plans a ban on social media for young children

Although most social media platforms technically set the minimum age at 13, enforcement remains weak. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil’s statement signals the possibility of stricter regulations or stronger enforcement to close this gap.

The government is considering a ban on social media accounts for children under 13 as part of a broader effort to protect young users from harmful online content.

The Lembah Pantai MP said in Parliament that the proposal is under review following growing concerns about children’s exposure to inappropriate material on platforms such as TikTok.

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Digital literacy modules will be set for users aged 13 and above

While the potential ban aims to keep younger children off social media entirely, the government is also focusing on education initiatives for teenagers. Digital literacy modules are set to be rolled out for users aged 13 and above, helping them navigate misinformation and stay safe as they become more active online.

Harmful content still a major issue

The Communications Minister also revealed that 1,443 pieces of offensive or harmful child-related content have been taken down. These removals, carried out at the request of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), involved breaches of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588) and platform community guidelines.

Whether the proposed under-13 ban will move forward is still uncertain, but conversations about children’s online well-being are taking on a new level of urgency.

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