Hustler Words – Malaysia is reportedly considering a ban on social media access for users under the age of 16, potentially mirroring a similar move by Australia. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has indicated the government’s intent to implement age restrictions on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) as early as next year, according to Reuters.
Fadzil stated, "We hope by next year that social media platforms will comply with the government’s decision to bar those under the age of 16 from opening user accounts." This initiative aims to safeguard younger users from the potential dangers associated with social media.
Malaysia’s potential ban aligns with a growing global trend of countries implementing measures to protect children online. Australia’s forthcoming law, set to take effect on December 10th, will require social media platforms to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16.
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Several other nations are also exploring similar regulations. France, Denmark, Italy, and Norway are actively developing age-restriction measures for social media platforms. In the United States, 24 states have already enacted age-verification laws, with Utah leading the charge by requiring app stores to verify user ages and obtain parental consent for minors downloading apps.
The United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, which came into force in July, mandates social media and other online platforms to prevent children from accessing harmful content, with the threat of substantial fines for non-compliance. The UK also requires stringent age verification for high-risk content, such as material related to self-harm and eating disorders, to protect users under 18. The global push for online safety underscores a growing concern about the impact of social media on young people.
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