JAKARTA: Indonesia began enforcing on Saturday nationwide restrictions on social media usage for children aged under 16, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so amid global efforts to curb cyberbullying and internet addiction.
Around 70 million people are under the age of 16 in Indonesia, where concerns over cyberbullying, pornography, online fraud and compulsive screen use have been mounting as social media become increasingly embedded in daily life.
The policy will initially target under-16 users on digital platforms deemed as “high-risk” by the Indonesian government, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.
These platforms are expected to prevent access to underage users, including by removing or deactivating accounts.
“There is no compromise for compliance. Every business operating in Indonesia must comply with existing regulations,” the communications and digital affairs minister, Meutya Hafid, said during a press briefing late on Friday.
