14-1-2025 (JAKARTA) In a landmark move towards protecting young internet users, Indonesia is set to introduce regulations establishing a minimum age requirement for social media access, Communications Minister Meutya Hafid announced yesterday.
The proposed legislation follows recent developments in Australia, where stringent measures have been enacted barring children under 16 from social media platforms. Tech giants, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as TikTok, face substantial penalties for non-compliance with these protective measures.
During discussions with President Prabowo Subianto, Minister Hafid emphasised the government’s commitment to creating safer digital spaces for young people. “The President has given his full backing to this initiative, recognising the crucial importance of protecting our children in the digital realm,” she stated in a presidential office video briefing.
Whilst specific age restrictions remain undisclosed, the move comes amid growing concerns about youth exposure to social media. Recent findings from the Indonesia Internet Service Providers’ Association paint a striking picture of digital engagement amongst the nation’s 280 million population, with nearly 80 per cent of Indonesians now connected to the internet.
Perhaps most notably, the Association’s comprehensive survey of 8,700 respondents revealed that almost half of children under 12 already maintain an online presence, with many actively engaging on major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The study further highlighted particularly high internet adoption rates among Generation Z users aged 12 to 27, reaching 87 per cent.
