Indonesia's Social Media Age-Limit Push: Protecting the Young Clicks

Indonesia intends to implement interim child protection guidelines for social media companies, amid efforts to legislate a minimum age for users. This follows Australia's lead in safeguarding minors online and aims to balance protection with access to information for underage internet users.

Indonesia is set to impose interim child protection guidelines on social media platforms as it works towards establishing a minimum age requirement for users, a senior official from the communications ministry announced on Wednesday.

The move echoes Australia's recent legislation banning children under 16 from using social media, with penalties for companies like Meta and TikTok if they fail to comply. Communications minister Meutya Hafid emphasized that a stronger age regulation law is in the works, following discussions with President Prabowo Subianto about enhancing online child safety.

Currently, the government plans to roll out regulations for digital platforms, enforcing guidelines that protect minors from various harms, though specifics remain unspecified. Public opinions vary, with some parents supporting stricter content controls while human rights officials caution against infringing on children's right to information.

(With inputs from agencies.)