Indonesia Reports 4.7M Child Accounts Removed Since Social Media Ban, Urges Further Tech Firm Action

Indonesia's government announced that major tech firms have significantly removed child accounts since the implementation of restrictions on social media use for those under 16, which took effect in late March. According to Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, TikTok deactivated 4.1 million accounts and YouTube deactivated approximately 600,000 accounts since the ban was imposed. Hafid stated, "We are not just delaying a child’s access, but we want behaviors from platforms to change, too." She added that the ministry is currently reviewing the self-assessment reports submitted by both companies and is urging other major tech firms to adopt similar measures. Indonesia introduced the measure on March 28, joining a growing number of nations in blocking children under the age of 16 from having accounts on "high-risk" digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. The initiative aims to protect children from online harms, cyberbullying, fraud, and, most importantly, addiction. Hafid emphasized, "The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms." The Indonesian government has adopted a proactive regulatory stance towards foreign tech firms in recent years. Over the past few years, it has introduced regulations requiring digital platforms to pay media outlets for content and banned social media companies from facilitating product sales on their platforms. The government also holds the power to fine or block social media platforms that fail to comply with official content removal requests. Indonesia's move followed shortly after Australia introduced the world's first ban on social media use for under-16s. Australia's policy mandates social media companies to block accounts of users under 16, rather than penalizing young people or their parents. The Australian government claims that over 5 million under-16 accounts have since been removed, deactivated, or restricted since the ban took effect, though its effectiveness has been questioned. A study by the University of Newcastle found that over 80 percent of Australian under-16s were still using social media three months after the legislation was enacted. The Australian government recently announced it would double penalties for breaches of the ban, arguing that measures to keep children off harmful social media sites are insufficient. This move could accelerate a trend of similar restrictions being adopted by numerous countries, including India, China, Turkey, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Source: The Diplomat Indonesia