Key facts
- Indonesia will ban social media access for individuals under 16.
- The ban is scheduled to take effect on March 28.
- The policy aims to protect children from online risks.
- The ban will impact child influencers who earn income from social media.
- Indonesia's policy is similar to one implemented in Australia.
Indonesia is implementing a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, with the new regulations set to take effect on March 28. The primary objective behind this policy is to enhance the protection of minors from various online risks and harmful content. This significant move by the Indonesian government is expected to have a notable impact on young content creators, often referred to as child influencers, who utilize social media platforms as a primary source of income and professional engagement. The Indonesian policy draws parallels with similar legislative actions taken by Australia, which has also introduced measures to safeguard younger users on digital platforms. The ban underscores a growing global concern among governments regarding the potential negative effects of social media on child development and well-being, prompting regulatory interventions to mitigate these risks.