Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – As Malaysia moves closer to implementing stricter online safety rules for minors, the government has clarified that its upcoming social media restrictions for users under 16 will not extend to popular online gaming platforms—at least in the initial phase.
Speaking to Scoop.my’s Scoop Insight, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching stated that government is prioritising the largest licensed social platforms first rather than expanding the scope immediately to gaming ecosystems that allow social interaction.
“So that is how we want to start. We don’t want to be overly ambitious,” noting that including gaming platforms in the first phase would not be practical.
While gaming platforms remain outside the current scope, Teo acknowledged that they could still pose risks and may be reviewed for potential regulation in the future if complaints or safety concerns increase. She said the government could amend the definition of licensed platforms if necessary.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has previously stressed that enforcement will focus on compliance rather than blocking access, describing platform bans as a last resort. The broader goal, he said previously, is to ensure a safer online environment for children and families rather than simply expanding internet connectivity.
The government has also emphasised the role of parents in managing children’s digital exposure, encouraging the use of parental control tools and open conversations about online safety.
Teo noted that many risks stem from user behaviour rather than platforms themselves, adding that legislation should be viewed as a baseline safeguard rather than a complete solution.
The measures fall under the Online Safety Act 2026, which took effect on January 1, 2026, following its gazetting in Parliament in December 2024. The law seeks to curb harmful online content and risks such as scams, harassment, and child sexual abuse material.
Beginning as early as June, the government will require major social media platforms with more than eight million Malaysian users—including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook—to implement stricter age verification mechanisms.
Malaysia’s approach reflects a broader trend across the Asia–Pacific region, where governments are tightening oversight of digital platforms to protect younger users.
In Australia, lawmakers have proposed legislation that could restrict social media access for users under 16, while authorities in Singapore have stepped up online safety initiatives and parental guidance programmes aimed at minors. Meanwhile, regulators in South Korea have long imposed safeguards on youth gaming and online activity, including time-based restrictions and identity verification measures, and Indonesia also having implemented a similar restriction measure for social media usage earlier this March.
