Malaysia to ban social media for children under 16

The list of countries that are moving to protect children after Australia’s bold social media ban is growing. See what other countries are planning.

Malaysia plans to ban social media for users under the age of 16, joining a growing list of countries that are following Australia’s lead in protecting children online.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian government was studying Australia’s approach in a move that aimed to shield young people from online harm like cyberbullying, scams and sexual exploitation.

Malaysia’s Minister of Communications, Fahmi Fadzil, has announced a social media ban for children aged under 16. Picture: AFP

It comes after Denmark said it would ban social media for children younger than 15, with the government saying it hopes to lead the way in Europe.

Here is how countries around the world are joining Australia— which will ban social media for children under the age of 16 from December — in the push for tighter digital age limits.

WHAT HAS MALAYSIA SAID?

Under the ban, Malaysia is looking at the potential use of electronic checks with identity cards or passports to verify the ages of social media users.

Mr Fadzil did not say when exactly the cabinet-approved social media ban for those aged under 16 will be enforced.

The Malaysian government is studying Australia’s approach in a move to protect kids. Picture: NewsWire / Dylan Robinson

“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,” he said.

WHICH OTHER COUNTRIES ARE CONSIDERING IMPLEMENTING SOCIAL MEDIA BANS?

Indonesia has previously said it planned to set a minimum age for social media users, but later issued a less stringent regulation requiring tech platforms to filter negative content.

Denmark announced earlier this month that it would ban social media for children younger than 15, saying it hopes other nations will adopt similar laws.

The proposed age limit would make it one of the strictest in Europe, slightly lower than Australia’s minimum age of 16, which comes into effect from December 10.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says the nation hopes to lead the way in Europe when it comes to social media restrictions. Picture: AFP

The announcement came after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described how society “unleashed a monster” by allowing vulnerable youths to use the platforms.

“Never before have so many children and young people suffered from anxiety and depression,” she said.

Norway is also moving forward with a proposed law that would set a minimum age limit of 15 for accessing social media platforms.

France, Spain, Italy and Greece are jointly testing a template for an age verification app. Picture: iStock

HOW HAVE OTHER COUNTRIES REACTED?

France, Spain, Italy and Greece are jointly testing a template for an age verification app to protect children online.

HOW WOULD AN AGE VERIFICATION APP WORK?

The set up for the age verification app is built on the same technical specifications as the European Digital Identity Wallet, which will be introduced next year.

“Platforms have no excuse to be continuing practices that put children at risk,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said in a statement earlier this year.

Originally published as Malaysia to ban social media for children under 16