KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Gen Z Malaysians, the first generation raised entirely in the digital age, are increasingly spearheading calls to keep children off social media, according to a new survey by global market research firm Ipsos.
The study revealed that 81 per cent of Gen Z respondents in Malaysia agree that children under the age of 14 should be barred from social media platforms both during and outside school hours, marking a sharp jump from 67 per cent recorded a year earlier. This represents the steepest increase in support across any demographic group surveyed.
Support among older cohorts also trended upwards. Gen X backing rose by 13 percentage points to 86 per cent, while Millennial support climbed six points to 85 per cent. Overall, 83 per cent of Malaysian adults now endorse an under-14 ban, up from 72 per cent in 2025.
The findings place Malaysia second among 31 countries surveyed globally in backing social media age curbs, trailing only Indonesia (90 per cent) and well above the global average of 73 per cent.
“[Gen Z] 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,” Ipsos said in its analysis of the data.
The survey polled adults aged 18 to 74, meaning the Gen Z demographic reflects the perspectives of young adults reflecting on their own online upbringing rather than the children directly affected.
Regulatory safeguards underway
The survey coincides with heightened national scrutiny over online safety after Malaysia began enforcing comprehensive regulatory safeguards on June 1.
Under the new licensing framework, major platforms with at least eight million domestic users, including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube, must implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage account creation.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said that the regulatory measures are designed to enhance platform accountability.
MCMC deputy director for development Eneng Faridah Iskandar stated on CNA+'s Talking Point on Aug 6 that technology firms deploying commercial products in the open market carry a duty of care to ensure user safety and identify who accesses their services.
She noted that the regulator has documented evidence of minors experiencing online harm, exploitation, and abuse, citing MCMC figures indicating that 70 per cent of Malaysian teenagers have already encountered harmful online material.
Regional approaches to online safety
Ipsos highlighted that age restrictions alone cannot serve as a complete solution, noting that long-term efficacy depends on collaborative enforcement among tech platforms, parents, and educators. The global conversation is progressively pivoting from whether children should have internet access to establishing structured, protective environments.
Across Southeast Asia, regulatory frameworks vary widely. Singapore is preparing enhanced statutory safeguards for users under 18 without implementing a blanket ban, receiving 74 per cent public support. Thailand is evaluating age-based restrictions, registering 54 per cent public backing.
The Malaysian study sampled 501 adults online between June 19 and July 3, including 207 Gen Z respondents. Subgroup breakdowns carry wider margins of error than national-level figures.
