Indonesia to introduce minimum age for social media use, says minister

Indonesia is preparing to introduce regulations that will set a minimum age for social media users, aiming to enhance child safety in the digital realm, according to Communications minister Meutya Hafid. The announcement, made on January 13, follows consultations with President Prabowo Subianto, who expressed support for the initiative.

Minister Hafid did not disclose what the minimum age requirement would be, stating only that the discussions with the president centered on strategies to safeguard children online. "The president emphasised continuing with this plan. He's very supportive on how child protection will be implemented in our digital space," Hafid explained in a video shared on the presidential office's YouTube channel.

This move aligns with global trends, notably Australia's recent legislation banning social media use by children under 16. That law mandates platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to implement robust age verification measures, with penalties for non-compliance.

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Indonesia, home to approximately 280 million people, has a significant online presence. A 2024 survey conducted by the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association revealed that internet penetration in the country reached 79.5%. The survey also highlighted concerning statistics: 48% of children under 12 access the internet. Among Gen Z users (ages 12-27), internet usage was even higher, at 87%.

Social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and Snapchat require users to be at least 13 to register, although in practice, many children under 13 still manage to create accounts. 

In Singapore, the government is mulling plans around implementing age limits for social media use. Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam stated earlier this year that the country is engaging with its Australian counterparts to understand their perspectives.

Malaysian Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil has also stated that the government will continue to urge social media providers to take action in line with the age limit guidelines set, although he emphasised that Malaysia has no intention of mirroring Australia's law and will focus on regulating platforms through licensing.

Elsewhere, the Norwegian government has committed to raising the minimum age for social media users to 15, as research by the Norwegian Media Authority shows that 72% of 11-year-olds are already on social media. Meanwhile, France and some U.S. states have implemented laws to restrict access for minors without parental consent.

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