Indonesia plans to implement interim child protection guidelines for social media platforms while drafting legislation to set a minimum age for users. Meutya Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Information and Digital Affairs, announced the move after discussions with President Prabowo Subianto on enhancing online child safety.
The proposed regulation follows Australia’s recent decision to ban children under 16 from accessing social media. Australia’s law includes penalties for platforms like Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook, as well as TikTok, if they fail to block underage users.
Alexander Sabar, a senior official at Indonesia’s communications and digital ministry, clarified that while the government works on comprehensive legislation, an interim regulation would mandate social media companies to adopt child protection measures. The guidelines aim to shield children from harmful content and protect their physical, mental, and moral well-being.
Sabar emphasized that the regulation would not entirely prohibit children from accessing social media but would ensure their safety online. Details of the interim guidelines have not yet been disclosed.
Parents have expressed support for stricter social media controls. Nurmayanti, a mother of three, voiced concerns about the availability of inappropriate content, such as pornography and discrimination, on these platforms. She stressed the need for clear and strict laws to address these issues.
However, Anis Hidayah, a commissioner at Indonesia’s human rights body, cautioned that while protecting children is crucial, it is equally important to safeguard their right to access information.
A survey by the Indonesian Internet Service Providers’ Association revealed that nearly 50% of children under 12 use the internet, with many accessing popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Indonesia’s move highlights the growing global effort to ensure online safety for children without compromising their digital rights.
