Malaysia’s social media age limit: Is legislation in the works?

The Malaysian government is considering measures to safeguard children online, but setting an age limit for social media accounts requires more than just a Bill, Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil affirms.

In an era where children and teenagers are frequent users of social media platforms, the question of whether Malaysia should enact a Bill to set an age limit for account ownership has been raised in Parliament.

Senator Tuan Robert Lau Hui Yew recently asked Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications about any plans to regulate social media access based on age.

In his oral response on Tuesday (4 March 2025), Minister Fahmi said that currently, most social media platforms impose a minimum age limit of 13, as outlined in the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the US. This age limit is generally accepted by countries around the world. But for Malaysia, this regulation needs deeper analysis.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has already taken significant steps to make the internet safer. Since January 2025, he shared, internet messaging and social media service providers have been required to obtain a license under the Communications and Multimedia Act 198 [Act 588]. This move aims to ensure platforms comply with best practices in managing harmful online content, with special attention to child welfare and privacy.

However, setting a strict age limit in Malaysia presents challenges. While the idea may seem simple, the impact on children’s development needs more analysis. This is because many children do not only use social media as a space for entertainment, the Minister acknowledged.

Instead, they use these platforms for educational purposes, seeking information or engaging in learning opportunities. Banning access for younger users might thus hinder their ability to obtain educational information.

Continuing, he said that while the government is still evaluating the broader implications of age-based restrictions, it is clear that parents and guardians have a vital role to play. By supervising children’s online activities and encouraging safer alternatives, they can help shield younger users from the risks of the digital world.

For now, the government is focused on raising awareness. As an example, MCMC has launched an online safety campaign that targets schools, focusing on educating students and parents about the potential dangers of social media, such as fraud, fake news, love scams, cyber bullying and online gambling. One key aspect of this campaign is highlighting the ban of children under 13 from owning social media accounts.

Minister Fahmi stated: "The government through MCMC is always active in implementing education and advocacy programmes that target various levels of society, including children about online safety aspects."