Ipsos Press Release - Malaysian Views on Social Media Ban
The findings from the latest study from Ipsos Education Monitors 2026 reveals that:
- 83% of Malaysians support a social media ban for children under-14
- Support is rising across generations, with 81% of Gen Z in Malaysia agreeing to the proposal
- Malaysia is part of a regional shift towards age-based social media restrictions, alongside Indonesia and Australia
Arun Menon, Managing Director, Ipsos Malaysia mentions:
While many countries are still debating social media bans, only a handful have begun enforcing them. Southeast Asia has emerged as an early mover: after Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia are among the first countries to implement under-16 restrictions, and public sentiment in these markets strongly supports the move.
Notably, that support extends to Gen Z. The generation that grew up with social media appears to understand its downsides firsthand, and to recognise that today's children face greater risks than they once did, as AI deepfakes and misinformation blur the line between what is real and what is not. Data cited by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) shows that 70% of Malaysian teenagers have already been exposed to harmful online content.
Whether restrictions alone can keep children safe remains an open question for governments and society alike. The conversation is shifting from whether children should have access to social media to how to make that access safer. Age-based safeguards and policy measures provide important guardrails. However, parents, educators, and trusted adults play a critical role in helping children use technology responsibly as they navigate an increasingly complex online world.
