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Malaysia plans to enforce a minimum age of 16 for social media users as early as July this year
According to Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, this is part of a broader push under the Online Safety Act to shield younger users from the darker corners of the Internet.
In a report by The Star, she confirmed that the plan is currently in a "regulatory sandbox" phase, targeting any social media or messaging service with over eight million users in Malaysia.
"We are now in the regulatory sandbox stage to identify the best, most effective and safest way to conduct age verification. At present, we are still in the discussion and planning phase with the platform providers," Teo explained.
She added that implementations may begin in the second half of 2026 and possibly as early as July.
One way the government plans to enforce the under-16 social media age limit is via the digital user identity verification (eKYC).
Digital user identity verification, or eKYC (Electronic Know-Your-Customer), is essentially the digital version of showing your IC at a bank, but from your couch
eKYC uses technology like facial recognition and document scanning to prove you are exactly who you say you are.
In Malaysia, the government is moving to make this a standard requirement for social media platforms to enforce a minimum age limit of 16 for account ownership and curb scams by dubious accounts.
eKYC can verify your identity in several ways, from official documents like MyKad to biometric methods such as fingerprints and facial recognition
With eKYC, social media users can no longer type in a fake birth year in order to use the platform.
Instead, you need an official document to prove your age — in this case your MyKad or passport (if you're a foreigner).
To ensure you aren't just holding up someone else's ID, the app may require a "liveness check". This is usually done via a real-time selfie or a short video where you might be asked to blink or turn your head. AI then matches your face to the photo on the ID.
The government is also considering using MyDigital ID to verify users' age on social media platforms
Instead of scanning your IC every time, you could simply "Sign in with MyDigital ID", which already has your verified age and identity linked.
The government is also considering a parent-managed social media account for their kids
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil previously clarified that while personal accounts for children are a no-go, parents can still manage accounts on their behalf.
This ensures a layer of supervision where adults can monitor any suspicious contact from strangers.
While eKYC is great for security, it does raise valid privacy concerns, which is why the government is still weighing its options
While the rationale is clear: protecting minors from cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and harmful content, eKYC adds a layer of "friction" to sign-ups and raises potential privacy concerns.
The government and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission are exploring ways to implement eKYC effectively and safely.
