JAKARTA — Indonesia is preparing to implement a regulation that would establish a minimum age for social media users, aiming to safeguard children in the digital space, Communications Minister Meutya Hafid announced. This initiative follows Australia's recent move to prohibit children under 16 from accessing social media platforms, imposing hefty fines on tech giants like Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook) and TikTok for non-compliance.

While Minister Hafid did not specify the proposed minimum age for Indonesia, she revealed that the decision was discussed with President Prabowo Subianto, who expressed strong support for the plan. "We discussed ways to protect children in the digital realm," Hafid stated in a video shared on the presidential office's YouTube channel. "The president encouraged us to move forward with this initiative, emphasizing the importance of child protection online."

Indonesia, home to approximately 280 million people, had an internet penetration rate of 79.5% in 2023, according to a survey by the Indonesia Internet Service Providers’ Association. The survey, which included 8,700 participants, revealed that 48% of children under 12 had internet access, with some actively using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Among Gen Z users (ages 12 to 27), internet usage was even higher, reaching 87%. These statistics underline the pressing need for regulations to ensure safer online environments for younger users in one of the world’s largest internet markets.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file