Malaysia to Introduce New Rules to Protect Youth on Online Platforms

Malaysia will introduce new regulations from June 1 aimed at strengthening protections for children and reducing their exposure to harmful content on social media and other online platforms, the country’s communications regulator said on Friday.

The measures, announced by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, will require online service providers to implement stricter safeguards, including limits on account registration and ownership for users under the age of 16.

Under the new framework, platforms will also be required to strengthen content governance systems and introduce age-appropriate safety controls for high-risk features.

The commission said online service providers must establish effective reporting and response mechanisms, verify advertisers, and label manipulated or misleading content where appropriate.

Authorities said the rules are intended to ensure safer digital environments for young users, particularly as exposure to harmful material on social media platforms continues to rise.

A grace period will be provided for companies to comply with the new requirements, although the regulator did not specify how long it will last.

Malaysia has increased scrutiny of social media platforms in recent years following a rise in concerns over online gambling, scams, child exploitation content, cyberbullying, and material related to race, religion, and royalty.

The government is also moving toward implementing age verification systems later this year, in line with global efforts to restrict or regulate minors’ access to social media platforms.