Indonesia will delay access to social media for children under 16, joining a global trend to protect minors from online risks like addiction and cyberbullying.
JAKARTA: Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications ministry announced.
The move makes Indonesia the latest country to install online guardrails, following similar actions by Australia, Spain, and neighbouring Malaysia.
Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said the government will “delay access” through a new ministerial regulation.
READ MORE: Malaysia to enforce social media age limit of 16 for child safety
Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on “high risk platforms” will be gradually deactivated.
The platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox, according to the minister’s video statement.
“The process will be done gradually until all platforms perform their obligations,” she said.
She did not elaborate on what the platforms need to do to meet the new requirements.
“We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints.”
“Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction,” she added.
Hafid stated Indonesia will be the first non-Western country to impose such restrictions.
TikTok, Meta, and Roblox did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The specific details of the new regulation have yet to be revealed.
Ministry officials also did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Internet penetration in the country of about 280 million people reached 79.5% in 2024.
This is according to a survey of 8,700 people by the Indonesia internet service providers’ association.
The survey showed 48% of children under 12 had access to the internet.
Some respondents in that age group were already using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Internet penetration stood at 87% among “Gen Z” users aged 12 to 27.
