Malaysia was confident in its social media ban, but kids are still on TikTok

KUALA LUMPUR – Fathin Farhana was expecting respite from the daily arguments she has with her preteen sons about putting away their phones. Both gave a fake age to sign up for TikTok, she said, and spend too much time watching live streamings of the game Mobile Legends or playing games themselves.

Her country, Malaysia, had barred children under 16 from social media starting June 1, and Fathin was hoping the rule would forcibly reduce the boys’ screen time.