The Indonesian government has taken steps to address the issue of social media's impact on minors' mental health by introducing new rules restricting access to these platforms for children under the age of 18. The regulation categorizes minors into three age groups and delays their access to social media accordingly.
President Prabowo Subianto announced the policy, which follows a directive from Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid. The move aims to mitigate the negative effects of excessive screen time and online exposure on children's well-being by limiting their access to social media platforms.
The regulation also includes a ban on profiling children for commercial purposes by social media companies, demonstrating Indonesia's commitment to safeguarding minors' rights. This initiative is part of a broader global conversation about mental health and its relationship with technology, where policymakers are taking notice and responding with measures to protect vulnerable populations.