JAKARTA (Kashmir English): Southeast Asian nation, Indonesia has started enforcing a social media ban for children under the age of 16, with a minister warning digital platforms there was “no room for compromise.”
Indonesia announced the ban this month citing threats from online pornography, cyberbullying and internet addiction, and started enforcing the decision on Saturday as concerns grow globally over the impact of social media on children’s wellbeing.
Meutya Hafid, the country’s communications minister said at a press conference late Friday that digital platforms X and Bigo Live have fully complied with the new rules and adjusted their minimum user age in line with the regulation.
Other digital platforms operating in the country should “immediately align their products, features and services with applicable regulations,” Meutya urged.
“We reiterate that there is no room for compromise regarding compliance, and that every business entity operating in Indonesia is required to adhere to the laws in force within the country.”
In a late Friday statement, TikTok said it was committed to complying with the regulation, including “taking appropriate measures related to under-16 accounts” in close consultation with the ministry.
Australia also banned social media for under-age children
Indonesia followed Australia policy in banning social media for under-age children, implemented in December that shows that the global reckoning over social media’s potential harms to children is gathering steam.
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday found YouTube and Meta liable for harming a young woman through the “addictive design” of their platforms, ordering the companies to pay $6 million in damages.
