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A recent global study by the Varkey Foundation has revealed that Malaysian parents are among the strongest supporters of banning social media for children under 16
According to the findings, 77% of Malaysian parents supported stricter controls, placing Malaysia at the top globally.
This figure edged ahead of India (75%) and France (74%), highlighting a growing concern among families about children's online exposure.
Interestingly, support is not just coming from parents, but from the youth as well
The study also found that 62% of Malaysians aged between nine and 18 also agreed with restricting social media use for those under 16.
This is significantly higher than the global average of just 37%, suggesting that our youths themselves are more open to tighter digital boundaries.
Around 65% of Malaysian Gen Z respondents also supported the ban, again exceeding the global average of 51%.
This placed the country third worldwide, reinforcing a broader national trend favouring stricter online regulations.
On the other end of the spectrum, countries like Japan (38%), Nigeria (39%), and the United States (51%) showed lower levels of parental support
Among youths, Japan recorded the lowest support at just 20%, followed by Argentina and Sweden at 26%.
The study was conducted between January and February 2026, involving over 18,000 participants worldwide
This included:
- 6,002 parents
- 6,011 children aged nine to 18
- 3,000 grandparents
- 3,000 Gen Z individuals
The 15 countries surveyed ranged from Malaysia and India to the United Kingdom, United States, and China.
