Jakarta: A new government law entered into force in Indonesia today, banning children under the age of 16 from accessing digital platforms that may expose them to inappropriate online content or fraud.
According to Emirates News Agency, when announcing the law earlier in March, Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, stated that it would apply to around 70 million children in the country, which has a population of approximately 280 million.
Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children from having social media accounts. This move follows measures taken by Australia last year, which introduced the world's first social media ban for children. These actions are part of efforts by families to regain control from major technology companies and protect their teenagers.