Indonesia plans to restrict social media access for children under 16, following Australia's lead. The new regulation targets major platforms and requires them to delete underage accounts. Implementation begins on March 28 with a phased approach.
Indonesia's government has introduced a regulation to limit social media use among minors, mandating that high-risk platforms delete accounts belonging to users under 16 in the country. Meutya Hafid, the communication and digital affairs minister, made the announcement, stating that the measure will start on March 28. The initial phase focuses on prominent services including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live, a Singapore-based live-streaming app.
Hafid noted that the rollout will occur in stages, with all platforms required to meet unspecified compliance obligations set by Indonesian authorities. A spokesperson for Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, informed The New York Times that the company has not yet received the official regulation and is waiting for further details.
This policy aligns with global trends aimed at protecting young users online. Australia became the first nation to enact a comprehensive ban on social media for those under 16. In Europe, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared last month that his country is prepared to impose a similar restriction. Meanwhile, Malaysia's cabinet has approved a comparable measure, expected to take effect later this year.
The Indonesian initiative reflects growing concerns over the impact of social media on youth, though specifics on enforcement and penalties remain unclear from the announcement.
