tags - Sinar Daily

The company added the legislation could also isolate teenagers from engaging in age-appropriate community experiences, as well as creating an illogical patchwork of which platforms are included and which aren’t. - Photo: AFP

Photo for illustration purposes only.

Critics of age-based bans warn that they may be technically challenging to enforce, could push teenagers toward virtual private networks (VPNs) or less-regulated platforms, and raise new privacy concerns due to the need to collect and store sensitive identity data. - Photo illustrated via Canva

Photo by Sinar Daily

Universiti Utara Malaysia School of Applied Psychology, Social Work and Policy criminologist and senior lecturer Dr Zalmizy Hussin

Malaysia’s plan to ban social media for children under 16 in 2026 reflects a broader global trend. Photo: Canva

Recent reports suggest that many children already have more than 1,300 images and data points of themselves online, creating a permanent, non-consensual digital footprint long before they understand what privacy means. - Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily

Richard Waterworth said the enforcement of age restrictions on social media platforms in the country may lead to many "unintended consequences.” Photo: Canva

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attends the 5th Asean – Australia Summit at the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 28, 2025. - (Photo by Chalinee Thirasupa / AFP)

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said everyone has used a knife and highlighted its dual nature.