Malaysia will introduce new measures from June 1 to better protect children and reduce their exposure to harmful content on online platforms, the country’s communications regulator said on Friday.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said the new rules will require online service providers to add safeguards that limit account registration and ownership by users under the age of 16. Platforms will also need to strengthen how they manage and moderate content.
According to the commission, the measures are designed to provide age-appropriate protections and restrict high-risk features on online platforms. Service providers will also be required to introduce effective reporting and response systems, verify advertisers, and label manipulated content where necessary.
The regulator said online platforms will be given a grace period to implement the new requirements, though it did not specify how long that period will last.
Malaysia has increased its scrutiny of social media companies in recent years following a sharp rise in harmful online content. Authorities in the country consider online gambling, scams, child pornography and grooming, cyberbullying, and content involving race, religion, and royalty as harmful.
The government also plans to introduce age verification for users this year, following similar efforts in other countries to limit social media use among minors.
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