Juliet Ezeh
A growing global push to regulate social media platforms is gaining momentum, as Indonesia moves to enforce a nationwide ban on users under 16, placing increased pressure on tech companies to strengthen child safety measures.
The new regulation, which took effect on Saturday, signals a tougher stance by governments worldwide as concerns rise over the impact of digital platforms on young users.
Indonesia’s Communications Minister, Meutya Hafid, made it clear that compliance is mandatory, warning that companies operating in the country must fully align with the law without exception.
Some platforms have already begun adjusting. Social media service X and live-streaming app Bigo Live have updated their minimum age requirements, while TikTok said it is working closely with authorities to implement the necessary changes for younger users.
The move comes as governments across different regions adopt stricter measures to curb risks such as online exploitation, cyberbullying, and digital addiction among children.
In Australia, similar restrictions were introduced late last year, while lawmakers in the United Kingdom are pushing for comparable legislation.
Meanwhile, legal pressure on technology companies is also intensifying. In the Los Angeles, a recent court ruling held major platforms accountable for harm linked to addictive design features, reinforcing calls for stronger safeguards.
Analysts say these developments point to a broader shift in how governments are approaching digital regulation, with increasing willingness to hold platforms accountable and impose stricter rules to protect younger users.
As more countries consider similar policies, tech companies may soon face a unified global expectation to redesign their platforms with child safety at the forefront.
