Malaysia's under-16 social media ban takes effect June 1, prohibiting children under 16 from registering accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. The regulation requires these services to implement age verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing their platforms.

This follows Australia's similar legislative approach, with Malaysia's cabinet approving the rules in November 2025. Other nations including Indonesia, the UK and Spain have also explored comparable restrictions on youth social media access. The measure aims to reduce children's exposure to harmful content and unsafe online interactions.

Online platforms must verify user ages through government IDs from Malaysia or other jurisdictions, blocking those who fail verification. Existing users will need to confirm they meet the age requirement. Companies receive a reasonable grace period before the June 1 deadline to implement these systems.

The regulation represents growing global concern about social media's impact on youth mental health and safety, forcing major platforms to balance accessibility with child protection responsibilities.