Social media banned for children under 16 years of age, now difficult to create accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok

Social Media Ban Under 16: Amid growing concerns about the online safety of children in the fast world of social media, Malaysia has now taken a big and strict step. For information, let us tell you that from June 1, 2026, creating and using social media accounts for children below 16 years of age has been completely banned in the country. By taking just this one step, Malaysia has now joined the list of countries which have strict rules on children’s use of social media.

Many platforms including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube will be affected

The report has revealed that under the new rules issued by the Malaysian government, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube will not be run without verifying the age of the users. Which simply means that now companies will have to ensure that children below 16 years of age are not on these platforms. Regarding this decision, the government believes that excessive use of social media at an early age is having a negative impact on the mental health, education and social behavior of children.

If rules are broken, fine up to Rs 21 crore

With the introduction of the new law, Malaysia has also made it clear that companies violating these rules will have to pay heavy fines. In such a situation, if any social media company does not follow the Age Verification rules, then a fine of up to 1 crore ringgit, which is approximately Rs 21 crore in Indian currency, can be imposed on it. But in this whole matter, while giving relief to the parents, the government has made it clear that if a child is found to be running an account by somehow cheating the system, then there will be no penalty or legal action against his parents.

Why did the government take this decision?

Regarding this strict and new decision, according to the Communications Commission of Malaysia, their intention was not to distance children from the Internet, but it is necessary for their development. In which:

• Young children should be kept away from dangerous and wrong content.
• Cyber ​​bullying on the internet should be curbed.
• Social media apps that spoil the mental health of children should be banned.

Regarding this decision, experts believe that increasing cyber bullying, obscene material and digital addiction on social media has become a big challenge.

Also read: Indian youth spend more than 2 hours on social media every day, girls are 47% ahead of boys.

The trend of social media ban is increasing worldwide

Malaysia is not the first country which has taken such a decision in its country, countries like Australia, Brazil and Indonesia are also included in this list. Who have already banned the use of social media by children. Apart from this, Britain, France and South Korea are also thinking of taking such a decision soon. But this is also a newly hidden fact that many questions are being raised on this decision. In which tech experts and university professors say that the demand for government identity card for age verification can also be a threat to people’s privacy. After which it will be interesting to see how social media companies are going to implement this new system.