Malaysia is the latest country with plans to limit social media use by age. On Sunday, the country’s cabinet approved a ban on social media accounts for anyone under the age of 16, The Associated Press reports. It comes as concerns around social media’s negative impact on children has grown globally.
The ban will reportedly go into affect in 2026. “I believe that if the government, regulatory bodies, and parents all play their roles, we can ensure that the Internet in Malaysia is not only fast, widespread and affordable but most importantly, safe, especially for children and families,” Malaysian communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said in a statement reported by The Associated Press. The country already requires social media and messaging platforms with more than eight million local users to have a license. These companies must take steps like age verification and safety measures.
The Malaysian government is looking at countries like Australia to see the success of electronic ID verification checks. On December 10, Australia will enact the world’s first blanket social media ban for anyone under 16-years-old. Social media companies will have to ensure compliance or face a fine of up to $49.5 million AUD ($32 million USD). Platforms impacted by the ban include X, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube and Twitch.
Earlier this month, Denmark announced that it was taking steps toward a social media ban for anyone under the age of 15. “Children and young people have their sleep disrupted, lose their peace and concentration, and experience increasing pressure from digital relationships where adults are not always present,” Denmark’s Digitalization Ministry stated.
In the US, some states have tried to enact their own restrictions. In Utah, teens now require parental consent to make a social media account. In Texas, a bill that would have banned social media for anyone under 18-year-old failed to pass, while a Florida law to require consent for under 16s and banning under 14s passed but is held up in court.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/malaysia-takes-steps-to-ban-social-media-for-children-under-16-142643494.html?src=rss
