JAKARTA - Indonesia is preparing to implement regulations that will set a minimum age requirement for social media users, aiming to enhance child protection in the digital world, according to Communications Minister Meutya Hafid.
This announcement comes after Australia recently prohibited children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, introducing fines for tech companies like Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok if they fail to comply.
While the exact age limit for Indonesia has yet to be determined, Minister Hafid confirmed that President Prabowo Subianto is fully supportive of the plan. "The president said to proceed with this initiative, as he is highly committed to ensuring child protection in the digital space," she said in a video shared on the presidential office's YouTube channel.
In the meantime, Indonesia will enforce temporary child protection measures for social media platforms until a formal law is enacted, as stated by a senior communications ministry official.
Internet usage is widespread in Indonesia, a nation of around 280 million people. According to a survey conducted by the Indonesia Internet Service Providers' Association, internet penetration reached 79.5% last year. Notably, nearly half of children under 12 use the internet, frequently accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Among "Gen Z" users, aged 12 to 27, internet penetration is even higher at 87%. The proposed regulations reflect Indonesia's growing concern over young users’ exposure to harmful content and privacy risks. It also aligns with global efforts to improve online safety for children.
TikTok Shuts Down Operations
In a related development, Social media platform TikTok is all set to shut down its operations in the United States starting Sunday, January 19, as a federal ban is set to come into effect, according to a report by The Information, which cited sources familiar with the situation. The app’s fate in the U.S. remains uncertain, as everything now depends on whether the Supreme Court steps in to block the legislation.
What is the Supreme Court hearing about TikTok?
Last week, TikTok’s legal team made its case before the Supreme Court, arguing against the legislation. The court is expected to decide on the constitutionality of a law signed by President Joe Biden in April. This law requires TikTok to separate from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and sell its U.S. operations to an American company. If the court upholds the law, TikTok will shut down its U.S. operations on January 19, just one day before Donald Trump takes office.