Bangkok, Jun 1 (EFE).- Malaysia began restricting access to social networks for children under 16 years starting Monday, putting the onus on companies to implement age-verification systems or face fines of up to $2.5 million. The regulations require platforms with more than 8 million users in the country, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, to implement own age verification systems and block accounts for users under 16 years old. Failure to comply will subject social media platforms to fines of up to 10 million ringgit ($2.5 million) while parents will be exempt from penalties for their children’s possible non-compliance, although they are advised to exercise supervision. Starting Monday, social media providers must ensure that only users over the age of 16 can create new accounts and access age-appropriate service features, according to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the agency responsible for implementing the measure. The platforms will have a period of up to six months to complete age verification, the agency said, clarifying that the use of official documents such as identity cards or passports is permitted. «Social media platform providers must provide clear instructions on the verification process, including what information is required, how the process works and how users’ information will be handled,» the agency added. The purpose of this policy is to provide stronger protection for children who «are exposed to online content, interactions and algorithm systems at an unprecedented scale and intensity.» «As child users are still developing their ability to assess risks, manage online interactions and make informed decisions, they are particularly more vulnerable to online harms due to their stage of cognitive and emotional development,» said MCMC, citing examples such as «exposure to harmful content» or «unsafe interactions» with other users. The need for measures to restrict children’s access to networks arose last year amid concerns over the rise in cyberbullying incidents and following the death in July 2025 of a 13-year-old girl who was a victim of bullying at her school. Malaysia ranks as the second-highest country in Asia for youth cyberbullying in Asia, only behind China, according to UNICEF’s data from last year. The Southeast Asian country follows the lead of Australia, a pioneer in banning social media for children under 16, with regulations in place since December that require platforms to verify users’ ages under threat of fines of up to AUD 49.5 million ($35.5 million). Following in the footsteps of the Oceania country, Indonesia adopted a similar restriction in March. These three Asia-Pacific countries are outpacing others in Europe such as France and the United Kingdom, which have taken steps to strengthen age controls, as well as Spain, which plans to ban social media for children under 16 and require companies executives to be held accountable. EFE nc/pd