Indonesia plans to ban social media and popular online platforms for children under 16, joining a growing list of countries seeking to protect youth from online dangers.
Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced that accounts for minors on “high-risk” platforms will deactivate starting March 28. This initiative targets platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox, positioning Indonesia as the first non-Western nation to impose age-based restrictions on digital access.
Hafid emphasized the urgency of this measure, citing threats such as exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction. “The government is intervening so parents no longer face these challenges alone,” she stated.
A 2023 UNICEF report highlighted that nearly half of the 510 Indonesian children surveyed had encountered sexual images on social media.
Amanda Kusumo, a working mother, expressed relief over the new regulations. “As a busy parent, I appreciate the government’s support in easing our concerns,” she said, expressing confidence that this decision will benefit both children and parents.
Her 17-year-old son, Matt Joseph, acknowledged the complexity of the issue. While recognizing that children struggle with screen time management, he suggested a more balanced approach, proposing that the government enhance TV content to encourage healthier entertainment alternatives.
The Indonesian child protection agency withheld comments on the new regulations pending further review. Nurul Izmi from the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM) stressed that child protection extends beyond age restrictions, advocating for safety by design and cautioning against collecting sensitive personal data through age verification.
Izmi highlighted the importance of preserving access to information and freedom of expression for children, noting that any restrictions must adhere to principles of lawfulness, necessity, and proportionality.
This announcement follows Australia’s pioneering move to restrict social media access for users under 16, a policy under scrutiny by other nations. Critics are urging Australia to expand this ban to include online gaming platforms like Roblox and Discord.
Concerns have emerged regarding age assurance technologies that may mistakenly block adults while failing to identify underage users. Spain has indicated its intention to follow Australia’s lead, while the UK recently initiated a public consultation on similar regulations.
Indonesia has previously enacted measures to block access to sexually explicit content, including banning the AI chatbot Grok and other pornographic sites like OnlyFans and Pornhub.
