Indonesia has announced a new regulation that will prevent individuals under the age of 16 from creating accounts on popular social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), and Roblox. This decision, signed by Minister of Communications and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, on February 6th, is set to take effect starting from the 28th of this month. The minister emphasized that children are increasingly facing numerous risks including exposure to explicit content, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction, and that the government aims to assist parents in managing these challenges more effectively.

As the second country globally to implement such a ban following Australia's restrictions initiated in December last year, Indonesia's move has received a generally positive response from parents. Many parents, like Marianna from Jakarta, have expressed concern over the impact of social media on young children, highlighting the necessity for stricter regulations around digital interactions. Marianna mentioned the risks associated with sharing photos and videos online, reinforcing the need for better management of social media among minors.

However, some citizens have voiced that while the social media ban is a step in the right direction, the government should extend this initiative to include blocking access to other detrimental websites, such as those related to pornography and online gambling. Other parents, like Harianto, echoed these sentiments, asserting that prohibiting these harmful sites is integral to supporting children's growth and development. The Indonesian government is responding to these public concerns by trying to balance online safety with children’s rights at a time when other countries are also considering similar measures to protect their youth.