US EditionIndonesia Starts Phased Deactivation of Under-16 Social Media Accounts
Indonesia targets 70 million children under 16 to reduce risks like cyberbullying and addiction by enforcing age restrictions on major social media platforms.
- Starting Saturday, Indonesia will begin deactivating accounts for users under 16 on designated high-risk platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Roblox, aiming to protect about 70 million children from cyberbullying, pornography, and internet addiction.
- Officials designated these platforms high-risk due to growing concerns over screen addiction and harmful content. Communications and digital minister Meutya Hafid stated the policy allows "parents no longer have to fight alone against the giants of the algorithm."
- Platforms like Google and Roblox pledged to introduce safeguards and "additional controls" for minors. However, Ika Idris, a social media expert at Monash University, argued that "policy is all concepts, but the technical guidance is still lacking."
- Young users like 11-year-old Bradley Rowen Liu expressed concern about losing access, while Indonesia joins a growing global trend. This follows Australia's landmark move in December to restrict teen social media accounts.
- Implementation will occur gradually, with officials planning to launch AI technology by next year to verify user ages. Critics warn that removing accounts may create an "educational divide," as YouTube remains a primary resource for student learning in Indonesia's 280 million population.
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Why did Indonesia ban social media for kids? #tech
Indonesia starts enforcing a sweeping under 16 social media ban Indonesia began enforcing a regulation banning most social media access for children under 16 . The policy is designed to reduce exposure to content and environments officials believe can harm minors, including pornography,…
La Nación, Grupo Nación
Jakarta, Indonesia. About 70 million children and adolescents in Indonesia were officially excluded from social media on Saturday. The restriction responds to the entry into force of a law that prohibits the use of these platforms to children under the age of 16.The Asian archipelago, of 284 million inhabitants, is thus added to the list of nations that legislate to protect young people from prolonged exposure to addictive content in digital env…
Indonesia social media ban for minors comes into effect
Indonesia’s new regulation banning children under the age of 16 from accessing social media and online platforms came into effect on Saturday. The new regulation also imposes restrictions and requirements on public and private electronic systems providers to protect the rights of children, according to the Indonesian government. The Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Digital No. 9 of 2026 is aimed at preventing minors from exposure …
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