Indonesia Plans to Introduce Minimum Age for Social Media Use

Indonesia is considering implementing a minimum age requirement for social media users, a move aimed at protecting children in the digital space, according to the country’s Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid.

This initiative follows Australia’s recent decision to ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms and enforce penalties on tech giants—including Meta (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok—if they fail to prevent underage users from signing up.

A Step Towards Stronger Digital Protection

As reported by The Straits Times, Minister Hafid has not yet specified what the minimum age requirement would be in Indonesia. However, her recent statements came after discussions with President Prabowo Subianto, who reportedly supports the plan.

"We have discussed how to better protect children in the digital space," Hafid said in a video published on the official YouTube channel of the Presidential Office.

"The President has encouraged us to move forward with this initiative. He strongly supports child protection in our digital landscape," she added.

Rising Internet Usage Among Indonesian Youth

According to a 2024 survey by the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association, 79.5% of the population in Indonesia had internet access.

The study also revealed concerning statistics:

• 48% of children under 12 have access to the internet, with many using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• 87% of individuals aged 12 to 27 are regular internet users.

With such a high percentage of young users already active online, the government’s proposal could significantly reshape the country’s digital landscape and impose new regulations on tech companies operating in Indonesia.

If implemented, this policy could set a precedent in Southeast Asia and signal a growing global trend of stricter regulations on digital platforms to safeguard children.