JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) 鈥� Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16, Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said Friday.
Hafid in a statement to media said that she just signed a government regulation that will mean children under the age of 16 can no longer have accounts on high-risk digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.
The implementation will start gradually from March 28, until all platforms fulfill their compliance obligations.
鈥淭he basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction. The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms.鈥� Hafid said.
She added that the government is taking this step as the best effort in the midst of to reclaim sovereignty over children鈥檚 futures.
鈥淲e realize that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children鈥檚 complaints,鈥� Hafid said.
Residents and parents in Jakarta welcomed the government鈥檚 restrictions on access to social media, especially because children have access to social media through mobile phones.
鈥淚 think that it has been very worrying for minors, especially children. Because they have too much freedom with photos, videos and everything. Some education is educational, but some is misleading. So we really need to sort through social media again,鈥� said Marianah, 43, who like many Indonesians uses a single name.
Others suggested that the government should also block other harmful websites, such as pornography and online gambling sites.
鈥淎s parents, we hope that online gambling and pornography websites can also be removed. So, in a sense, the government must also be fair. This is for the sake of the people themselves, for the children, and for the children鈥檚 growth and development,鈥� said Harianto, 49, a resident in Jakarta.
Earlier this week, Indonesia鈥檚 Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted a surprise inspection of Meta Platforms鈥� Jakarta office over concerns about the handling of harmful content on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The ministry in a statement said that through this inspection, the Minister of Communication and Information Technology issued a stern warning regarding Meta鈥檚 low level of compliance with national regulations.
The Associated Press has sent email requests for comment to TikTok and Meta, but has not yet received a response.
Indonesia will be the first country in Southeast Asia to restrict the access of children to social media.
The restriction of social media access for teens began in Australia Social media companies have identified as belonging to children in Australia.
Other countries, including , , and are also taking or are considering measures to restrict minors鈥� access to social media amid growing concern that children are being harmed by exposure to unregulated social media content.
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