New global study finds Malaysian parents and youth strongly back tighter social media controls

Malaysia has emerged as one of the strongest supporters of stricter social media limits for children, with new global survey findings showing unusually high backing from both parents and young people.

Malaysia Ranks Among Top Supporters Globally
A new Family First study conducted across 15 countries found that 77 percent of Malaysian parents support banning social media use for children under 16, placing Malaysia among the highest in the world for backing stricter digital controls. According to the UK-based Varkey Foundation, only India at 75 percent and France at 74 percent came close, while Japan recorded the lowest parental support at 38 percent, followed by Nigeria at 39 percent and the United States at 51 percent.

Young Malaysians Also Back Stricter Rules
Support for the ban is not limited to parents. The survey found that 62 percent of Malaysians aged nine to 18 also support prohibiting social media use for those under 16, far above the global average of 37 percent. Malaysia shared the highest youth support level with India, while China followed at 50 percent. At the other end, Japan posted just 20 percent support, while Argentina and Sweden both stood at 26 percent.

Gen Z Support Is Also Higher Than Average
Malaysia also ranked third highest globally for Gen Z backing of the proposed restriction, with 65 percent supporting the ban compared with the global average of 51 percent. This suggests that support for tighter social media rules in Malaysia extends beyond parents and younger children, reflecting a broader concern across generations about the impact of digital platforms on minors.

Study Covered A Wide International Sample
The Family First study was carried out in January and February 2026 and included 6,002 parents, 6,011 of their children aged nine to 18, 3,000 grandparents of children in the same age range, and 3,000 Gen Z participants. The surveyed countries were Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Results Reflect Growing Concern Over Youth Online Safety
The findings come at a time when many countries are debating stricter protections for minors online, including age limits and tighter platform regulation. Malaysia’s high support levels suggest that concerns over screen time, online safety, and digital well-being are resonating strongly with families. The survey also shows that Malaysia is not only part of the global debate, but among the countries pushing hardest for more restrictive approaches.

Malaysia’s strong support for an under-16 social media ban highlights how seriously families there are viewing the risks of online exposure for children and teenagers. For Malaysians, the findings may add momentum to calls for firmer digital safeguards. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the results also show how social media regulation is becoming a major regional issue, with public opinion increasingly leaning toward stronger protection for younger users.

Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)

Keywords: Malaysia Social Media Ban, Under 16 Social Media, Malaysian Parents Survey, Youth Digital Policy, Varkey Foundation Study, Social Media Restrictions Malaysia