Social Media Platforms Face RM10 Million Fine Under Malaysia’s New Child Protection Law
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- Malaysia has introduced strict social media regulations banning users under 16 and imposing fines of up to RM10 million on platforms that fail to enforce age verification.
- The new policy requires digital platforms to verify users’ ages, with the rollout set to take place in phases over the next six months and penalties aimed at ensuring compliance.
- The move places Malaysia among a growing number of countries seeking to improve child online safety, although critics warn it could push teenagers toward less regulated parts of the internet.
Jakarta – Malaysia has officially enforced new restrictions on social media use for children under the age of 16, starting Monday (June 1), with penalties reaching up to RM10 million, or approximately Rp44.9 billion, for platforms that fail to comply.
According to a report by Engadget on Monday, the Malaysian government has been developing this policy since last year as part of broader efforts to strengthen online safety for minors. The regulation applies to social media platforms with more than eight million users in Malaysia.
Under the new rules, platforms are now required to implement age verification mechanisms to ensure users are at least 16 years old before creating an account.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) stated that the age verification system will be rolled out in phases over the next six months. The regulation also explicitly prohibits users under 16 from registering new accounts on social media platforms.
However, authorities have provided a one-month transition period for existing users under 16. During this period, affected users can manage, download, or transfer their data before access restrictions are fully enforced.
The policy has drawn criticism from industry stakeholders. Clara Koh, Director of Public Policy for Meta in Southeast and Central Asia and ASEAN, warned that the restriction could push teenagers away from regulated platforms toward less supervised areas of the internet.
Malaysia is not alone in adopting such measures. Indonesia has already introduced similar restrictions for users under 16, which came into effect earlier this year.
Globally, several countries are also considering or implementing policies aimed at limiting children’s access to social media, reflecting growing concerns over digital safety and online exposure among minors.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
