Malaysia enforces social media ban for children under 16, requiring age verification from platforms
By
Eileen Ng
Crackling crust, pillowy middle. The kind of bagel that earns a second cup of coffee.
Summary
Malaysia has begun enforcing a ban on social media accounts for children under 16, requiring platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to implement age-verification systems or face fines up to $2.5 million. The move is part of a global trend toward stricter online safety for minors, with similar bans in Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia. While aimed at protecting children from harmful content and excessive use, concerns persist about data privacy and the effectiveness of age-based restrictions.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledMalaysia on Monday began enforcing rules barring millions of children younger than 16 from owning social media accounts, joining a global effort to tighten online safety protections for young users.
The rules require social media platforms to implement age-verification systems and block users under 16 from creating accounts.
Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million).
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