Malaysia bars under-16s from signing up for social media

KUALA LUMPUR, June ‌1 (Reuters) - Malaysia ​has ​begun barring those aged under 16 from registering accounts on social media platforms, its communications regulator ‌said on Monday, as it boosts efforts ⁠to protect minors from exposure to harmful content online.

The Southeast Asian ‌nation joins a growing number ‌of countries introducing measures to regulate access to online platforms, amid mounting concerns over the impact ​of social media on children's health and safety.

• From Monday, social media platforms including Meta Platforms' ⁠Facebook and Instagram, TikTok, and Alphabet's YouTube, must conduct age verification against ​government-issued records, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said.

• Fines up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 ​million) may be levied against social ‌media platforms who fail to comply.

• "The measure is not intended to prohibit child users ⁠from the internet or to deny them access to technology," it said, rather it aims to boost responsibility ⁠among social media platforms, parents and guardians in protecting minors online.

• ​Age verification for existing users will be implemented by social media platforms over a six month-period.

• Malaysia has stepped up ‌scrutiny of social media companies after finding a sharp rise in harmful online content ‌in recent years, and is cracking down on ⁠material that deliberately tries ‌to stir racial ​or religious tensions, or criticises the monarchy.

($1 = 3.9630 ringgit)

(Reporting by Danial Azhar; Editing by Alexandra ‌Hudson)

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