The Southeast Asian nation is among a growing number of countries tightening rules on access to digital platforms, amid increasing concerns over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety, and exposure to inappropriate material.
From Monday, platforms including Meta Platforms services such as Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube are required to implement age verification checks using government-issued identification records, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
Authorities warned that companies failing to comply with the rules could face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (approximately $2.5 million).
Officials said the policy is not designed to block children from internet access entirely but to increase accountability among platforms, parents, and guardians in ensuring safer online environments for minors.
The regulator added that age verification for existing users will be rolled out gradually over a six-month transition period to allow platforms time to adjust their systems.
Malaysia has intensified scrutiny of social media firms in recent years following a rise in harmful online content, including material that promotes racial or religious tensions or criticises the country’s monarchy.
The government has also taken a stricter stance on digital platforms as part of broader efforts to regulate online speech and improve content moderation standards across major tech companies operating in the country.
