Children under 16 can no longer open new accounts on major social media platforms in Malaysia, under codes made under the Online Safety Act 2025 that took effect on 1 June 2026.
The Child Protection Code and the Risk Mitigation Code require licensed social media providers to ensure that only users aged 16 and above can create new accounts, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said when the rules took effect. Platforms must verify ages using government-issued identification or equivalent official documents recognised by Malaysian authorities.
What happens to existing accounts
Existing account holders are going through a phased age-verification process over six months. Users found to be under the minimum age must be given one month to download, transfer or keep their personal content, such as photos and videos, before any restriction, suspension or other action is taken.
MCMC named Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube among the major licensed services. Platforms must also build safeguards into their services, carry out risk assessments, strengthen content moderation and give users safety controls. MCMC said non-compliance could lead to regulatory intervention or enforcement action.
What parents can do
- Explain to children why the age limit exists, and agree on what they can use instead.
- If an account is flagged as under-age, use the one-month window to save the photos and videos your child wants to keep.
- Be cautious of messages or links asking for a child’s identity documents. Use only the verification steps inside the official app.
The Online Safety Act 2025 itself came into force on 1 January 2026.
Sources
The Vibes: Landmark safety rules take effect as under-16s barred from social media accounts (1 Jun 2026)
Business Today: Online Safety Act kicks in effective today (1 Jan 2026)