In-depth analysis and insight on Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Australia, the first country to ban children from social media, is moving to strengthen enforcement after evidence of widespread non-compliance. The government is exploring tougher penalties and expanded regulatory powers.
Indonesia's communications ministry says TikTok and YouTube have deactivated 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under 16, enforcing new regulations designed to protect young users from cyberbullying and addiction.
A new study from Australia's University of Newcastle shows that the nation's pioneering social media age ban for under-16s has achieved limited early impact, with most teenagers continuing to access platforms through fake accounts, shared logins, and other circumvention methods.
Social media platforms operating in Malaysia risk penalties of up to RM10 million if they fail to implement age-verification systems under the Online Safety Act 2025, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil confirmed in parliament.
Meta is lobbying US Congress for immunity from child-harm lawsuits tied to Instagram and other platforms, offering to support child safety legislation in exchange for legal protections that could undermine thousands of pending cases.
A Cincinnati-based federal appeals court has upheld Ohio's Social Media Parental Notification Act, requiring parental consent before children can access social media platforms. The decision represents a significant setback for tech companies challenging similar laws across America.
A US appeals court has upheld Ohio's Social Media Parental Notification Act, which mandates that social media platforms obtain parental consent before children under 16 can access their services, rejecting free speech arguments from the tech industry.
Britain's government will prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The ban takes effect early next year, with enforcement targeting platforms rather than individual users.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to unveil a comprehensive ban on social media use by under-16s, extending further than comparable legislation in Australia. The announcement comes amid internal party tensions and potential leadership challenges.
Florida's attorney general has sued TikTok, alleging the platform violates state law by allowing children under 14 to create accounts and exposing them to inappropriate content. The case represents escalating regulatory pressure on social media companies.