April 15, 2026
PETALING JAYA – Malaysian parents are the strongest supporters of the under-16 social media ban, a new study found.
Conducted across 15 countries, a Family First study found that 77% of Malaysian parents support such a ban, placing the country among the highest globally in favour of stricter controls.
The study is a global initiative launched by the United Kingdom-based Varkey Foundation.
“Among the countries surveyed, support is highest in Malaysia (77%), India (75%) and France (74%).
Japan recorded the lowest level of support at 38%, followed by Nigeria (39%) and the United States (US) (51%),” it said in a press release on April 14.
The survey also revealed that 62% of Malaysians aged nine to 18 support prohibiting those under 16 from using social media – a figure significantly higher than the global average of 37%.
“Support among young people is highest in Malaysia (62%), India (62%), and China (50%). It is lowest in Japan (20%), Argentina, and Sweden (both 26%),” the press release statement read.
Malaysia also ranks third highest worldwide, with 65% of its Gen Z population supporting the ban – well above the global average of 51%.
Conducted in January and February 2026, the study surveyed 6,002 parents, 6,011 of their children aged nine to 18, 3,000 grandparents of children aged nine to 18, and 3,000 Gen Z participants.
The countries included in the research are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.