KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 -- Meta Platforms has cautioned the Malaysian government that a blanket social media ban for users under the age of 16 risks backfiring, warning that such a move could inadvertently drive young people toward unregulated and less-safe corners of the internet.

Meta is an American multinational technology company that owns and operates major social media and communication platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads.

While the tech giant is continuing to engage with the government over its proposed restrictions, Meta's director of public policy for Southeast Asia and Asean, Clara Koh, asserted today that blanket bans have historically shown limited effectiveness.

Instead, she said they ...