The implementation of the minimum age limit of 16 years for the use of social media under the Online Safety Act (ONSA) is expected to begin enforcement as early as July 2026. This measure is implemented with the aim of protecting children and adolescents from the risk of abuse and exposure to inappropriate content.
Deputy Minister of Communications, Teo Nie Ching explained that the implementation is still in the regulatory testing phase. This phase aims to identify the safest and most effective age verification method before full enforcement is implemented. In addition, the government aims for all social media platforms to implement the eKYC or digital identity verification system by the end of the second quarter of 2026. This approach is expected to ensure that the account registration process is more orderly and complies with the minimum age limit set.
The proposal to use eKYC has actually been discussed since September 2025 and is now becoming clearer as the main step to enforce the 16-year-old age limit for social media users. This move also shows that Malaysia is becoming more serious in addressing issues of digital safety and mental well-being among teenagers.
