Malaysia plans from 2025 to ban the use of social media by people under the age of 16, adding its name to the list of countries adopting stricter rules to protect minors online.

Communications Minister Fahmy Fangil said on Sunday that the government was looking at models used in Australia and other countries regarding age restrictions. He said the aim was to shield young people from risks such as online bullying, financial scams and child sexual abuse.

“We hope that within the next year platforms will comply with the government’s decision to ban users under 16 from creating accounts,” he told reporters in a video published by local newspaper The Star.

The debate about the impact of social media on children’s mental and physical health is intensifying internationally. In the US, major companies such as TikTok, Snapchat, Google and Meta are facing lawsuits over their role in worsening mental health among young people.

Meanwhile, Australia is preparing next month to deactivate accounts of users under 16, while countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Spain and Greece are jointly testing age verification technologies.

In recent years, Malaysia has increased surveillance of digital platforms due to a surge in content such as illegal online gambling and posts touching on issues of race, religion and royalty. In fact, since January, platforms and messaging services with more than 8 million users have been required to be licensed under a new regulation.