New strict rules have been introduced in Indonesia aimed at combating internet addiction among minors. According to recent guidelines, teenagers under the age of 16 are prohibited from using popular platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and gaming services, including Roblox.
Now, social media owners bear serious responsibility for verifying the age of their users. They will have to not only check the ages of their audience but also actively identify and remove accounts belonging to minors.
The main reason for such measures is the sharp increase in children's dependence on digital devices. Government authorities believe that constant online presence negatively affects the mental state of teenagers, disrupts their sleep patterns, and hinders the learning process. Additionally, the authorities hope that these restrictions will help protect young people from cyberbullying, online scammers, and inappropriate content.
In the future, the requirements may be tightened. Currently, the country is discussing the possibility of implementing mandatory age verification and new parental control measures.
It should be noted that Indonesia is not the only country taking such steps. Similar initiatives to limit youth access to digital services are actively being developed and implemented in the USA and several European countries.
