Age Verification Rules Introduced to Strengthen Online Safety for Young Users

New regulations prohibiting children under the age of 16 from holding social media accounts came into force on Monday, marking another step in global efforts to strengthen online safety protections for young users. Under the new rules, social media platforms with at least 8 million users, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, are required to implement age-verification systems and prevent users under the age of 16 from creating accounts. Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Commission said that age verification for existing users will be introduced gradually over the next six months. Users identified as being under 16 years old will be given one month to download or transfer their data, including photos and videos, before any restrictions, suspensions, or other enforcement measures are applied. Companies that fail to comply with the regulations could face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (approximately $2.5 million). However, parents whose children manage to bypass the restrictions will not face penalties. The government stated that the measures are aimed at protecting children from harmful content, cyberbullying, and platform features designed to encourage excessive use. Authorities said the regulations are intended to create a safer online environment for younger users while addressing growing concerns about digital risks. Several countries around the world have introduced or announced age-based restrictions and requirements for children's access to social media. Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia have already moved forward with similar measures, while countries including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are studying or developing comparable approaches. The regulator emphasized that the purpose of the rules is not to prevent children from accessing digital technology. According to the commission, the measures are designed to strengthen child safety in online environments while providing parents with greater confidence in managing increasingly complex digital risks.