Indonesia Considers Minimum Age for Social Media After Australia’s Ban

Jakarta (February 14, 2025): Indonesia is preparing legislation to establish a minimum age for social media use, following Australia’s recent ban on under-16s accessing such platforms. The move is part of a broader effort to protect minors from potential risks, including mental health concerns and online exploitation.

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid initiated discussions on the policy last month, highlighting the need for stronger child protection regulations in the nation of 280 million people. While the government has not yet specified an age limit, officials stress the importance of shielding children from “physical, mental, or moral perils.”

Indonesia’s plan follows Australia’s unprecedented decision in November 2024 to ban social media access for minors, with platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram facing hefty fines for non-compliance. Jakarta has announced interim child protection guidelines for tech companies while drafting the final legislation.

The move adds to Indonesia’s ongoing regulatory measures against Big Tech, which have included blocking unregistered platforms, banning certain smartphone sales, and restricting streaming services. Experts believe that shifting the enforcement burden onto social media companies will force greater accountability, but concerns remain about privacy and data security in age verification processes.

With nearly 139 million Indonesians using social media and a significant portion of children under 12 active on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the proposed policy could have far-reaching implications. While supporters argue that limiting access will protect young users, others caution that outright restrictions may be difficult to enforce and could impact digital literacy.

Source: Al Jazeera