Malaysian comedian Rizal van Geyzel is keeping his three children off social media, citing risks like fake news and cyber-stalking. Governments across Southeast Asia are increasingly supporting parents' efforts to restrict children's online access.

Malaysian comedian Rizal van Geyzel keeps his three children – aged six, 14 and 15 – off social media. He calls it a “gateway drug” to fake news, pornography, stalkers and doom-scrolling. “Do I risk them resenting me? Sure, but these are the sacrifices of parents for their children’s mental health and physical safety,” the 43-year-old said. Across Southeast Asia, governments are increasingly siding with parents like him. Indonesia last month became the first country in the region to bar...