Age Limits for Social Media Users: What Psychologists Say
Casal dels Infants – The Indonesian government is currently drafting a new regulation to impose age restrictions on social media users. While the primary target is children, experts believe the key to the policy’s success lies in the hands of parents.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), together with President Prabowo Subianto, is discussing strategies to protect children in the digital space. Minister Meutya Hafid stated that the government plans to issue an interim regulation while developing a stronger legal framework.
“We’re studying this thoroughly, but in principle, while bridging toward a more permanent regulation, the government will first issue a provisional rule regarding the minimum age for social media users,” Meutya said at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta.
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Child and adolescent psychologist Mira Amir emphasized that although the regulation targets children, its effectiveness will ultimately depend on parents. According to her, parents are the first to introduce gadgets and social media to their children.
“The regulation may target children, but they are under parental supervision. So, the rule is essentially also for parents, schools, and teachers,” Mira said.
She pointed out that many parents struggle to follow rules related to children. For instance, some still take their kids to watch movies that are clearly inappropriate for their age.
Regardless of how effective the regulation may be, Mira supports its implementation. However, she stressed the importance of clearly defining which platforms fall under the category of social media, especially since students are often required to submit assignments through digital platforms.
“There needs to be clarity, since some digital platforms are already used for academic purposes,” she said.
Mira also suggested turning the restriction into a broader social movement. In her view, building collective awareness is crucial, not only among parents, but among all adults in a child’s environment.
“Imagine a designated gadget-free zone for children. In public places like airports, for example, when adults see a child using a device, they can step in and remind them. This could become a national movement supported by regulation,” she explained. With a comprehensive approach and strong societal support, age restrictions on social media could become a major step toward protecting children’s development in the digital age.
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