Maldives to Restrict Social Media Access for Children Under 16

In a significant move to enhance online safety, the Maldivian government, led by President Mohamed Muizzu, is set to ban children under 16 from accessing certain social media platforms. This decision aims to protect young users from cyberbullying and other digital threats. The government plans to study international regulations, particularly those from Australia, as it prepares to implement this policy. The proposed ban will target specific applications deemed risky for minors, and consultations with technology companies will be conducted to ensure compliance with local laws. This initiative is expected to be finalized within a year, marking a proactive step towards creating a safer online environment for children in the Maldives.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 2, 2026, 12:03 IST

New Social Media Regulations in the Maldives

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Male, June 2: President Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives has declared that the government will prohibit children under the age of 16 from using certain social media platforms. This decision aims to safeguard young users from cyberbullying, online grooming, and various digital dangers, as reported by state media.

During a press conference held on Monday, Muizzu emphasized that the safety of children online has become a pressing issue for parents both in the Maldives and globally.

The administration plans to examine regulations from other nations, including Australia, while formulating this new policy, he added.

The intended ban will focus on specific applications deemed hazardous for minors, with Muizzu stating that the government will engage with relevant tech firms and platform owners to ensure compliance with Maldivian laws.

According to the president, this initiative will necessitate changes to current cyber safety legislation.

Muizzu reassured that these restrictions would not impede children's education or their online learning capabilities, but rather foster a safer digital atmosphere.

The government is working towards finalizing the regulatory framework and aims to implement the ban within a year following public consultations, as reported by PSM News.

If enacted, the Maldives will join Australia in prohibiting social media access for those under 16. Australia had introduced a similar ban last year.

As of January, Australia had deactivated over 4.7 million accounts belonging to children shortly after the implementation of its groundbreaking social media ban for minors.

Data from the eSafety commissioner revealed that social media platforms removed access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to users under 16 in the days following the ban's enforcement on December 10.

The Australian government is also probing five social media platforms for their non-compliance with the new regulations aimed at protecting children under 16.

In its initial report regarding the minimum age requirement for social media, the federal eSafety Commissioner expressed "significant concerns" regarding the adherence of major social media companies, including Facebook and Instagram, to the laws that took effect in December.

Under these regulations, social media companies that do not take adequate measures to prevent access by children under 16 could face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (approximately $31.9 million).