Some 4.7 million social media accounts of underage Indonesians closed

In March, TikTok and YouTube implemented the measure at the request of the Indonesian government deactivating accounts of users under 16. Meanwhile, in Australia, the country that pioneered this type of measure, Prime Minister Albanese is studying new measures to stop users from circumventing the law.

Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Indonesian Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, announced that the TikTok and YouTube platforms have deactivated some 4.7 million accounts belonging to users under 16, in compliance with new regulations introduced by the Indonesian government last March.

Following Australia’s lead last year, Indonesian law now requires high-risk platforms to prevent access by minors under 16. Specifically, TikTok deleted approximately 4.1 million accounts, while YouTube has deactivated approximately 600,000.  In addition, the measure also affects X (formerly Twitter), Meta's Instagram, and the gaming platform Roblox.

The companies involved are also required to submit self-assessment reports to the government to show compliance with the new provisions, which the ministry is currently reviewing.

According to Minister Hafid, the government's goal is not simply to delay the entry of younger people into the world of social media, but to promote a structural change in the behaviour of digital platforms, making them more responsible for protecting minors.

According to the Indonesian government, technology companies must take a more active role in preventing the risks associated with early social media use.

For the authorities, restrictions are needed to combat increasingly widespread phenomena among teenagers, like cyberbullying and social media addiction, which have potentially negative effects on young people's mental health and physical and psychological well-being.

The decision also reflects growing international concern over the impact of digital platforms on younger generations.

Meanwhile, in Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his government is vetting new measures to tighten the ban and ensure better protection for young users.

In fact, observers and experts note that many children continue to access social media despite the ban. Speaking in Parliament, Albanese said that the government considers this reform a priority.

In addition to Indonesia, Canada and Brazil have already introduced legislation or announced restrictions on social media access for minors under 16, while other countries like the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are studying or developing similar measures.

• indonesia
• social media
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• children
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• australia
• tiktok
• youtube