Imposing restrictions on social media for children.. Are countries moving to confront digital addiction?

The world is witnessing a rapid expansion in the use of digital platforms among different age groups, with the increasing presence of social media in the lives of children and adolescents. With this widespread spread, growing concerns have emerged among governments and societies about the impact ofdigital addictionon children’s mental health and safety in the digital environment, especially with the ease of access to content and the increasing time that young people spend on the Internet.

In light of these concerns, several countries have begun studying policies aimed at regulating the use of digital platforms among minors. Indonesia is among the latest countries seeking to establish controls on the use of social media for children, in a move that reflects a growing international trend in trying to achieve a balance between benefiting from technology and protecting young generations from the dangers of excessive use of the digital space.

Digital addiction drives tightening restrictions in Indonesia

The Indonesian government announced that it will impose restrictions on the use of social media for children under the age of 16, as part of its efforts to confront the risks associated with the digital environment. According to what was announced by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, the authorities will work to restrict access to accounts of platforms classified as high-risk, with the implementation of measures gradually starting from late March.

Platforms that may be subject to these restrictions include widespread applications such asTik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox, where the government intends to gradually remove or disable accounts owned by children under the specified age. This decision reflects a growing awareness among policymakers that confronting digital addiction may require direct regulatory interventions to control the use of digital platforms among minors. In light of this step, a broader question arises about the nature of the risks that prompt governments to take such regulatory measures.

Increasing risks to children’s mental health

These policies are based on growing concerns about the impact of heavy social media use on the mental health of children and adolescents. Governments and experts have warned that constant exposure to digital platforms may be linked to problems such as cyberbullying, online fraud, and exposure to inappropriate content, in addition to the effects associated with the phenomenon of digital addiction.

Statements from Indonesian officials indicate that children may be exposed through these platforms to multiple risks, including inappropriate content or aggressive behavior online. This concern reflects a shift in the way governments deal with the digital space, as the discussion goes beyond freedom of access to technology, to include the responsibility of states to protect groups most vulnerable to risks. Also, this trend is not limited to Indonesia alone, but rather falls within a broader global context that is witnessing increasing movements to regulate the use of social media among children.

A global trend to regulate the use of platforms

Recent years have seen similar steps in a number of countries that have begun considering or implementing restrictions on the use of social media for minors. In Australia, a ban on the use of social platforms for children under the age of 16 was announced, while Spain announced a similar trend to regulate minors’ access to these platforms.

Malaysia also announced plans to impose similar restrictions starting in 2026, in an indication of mounting global concern about the effects of digital addiction on younger generations. This expansion of regulatory policies reflects a growing awareness that managing digital space has become part of modern governance policies, especially with the expanding role of technology in daily life. As the scope of these discussions expands, another equally important factor emerges, which is the extent of Internet penetration among children and adolescents.

The spread of the Internet among children and the developmental dimension

Data on Internet use in Indonesia reveals the expansion of digital connectivity among different age groups. The rate of Internet penetration in the country reached about 79.5% in 2024, in a country with a population of about 280 million people. Surveys also showed that about 48% of children under the age of 12 have access to the Internet, while the connection rate among the younger generation from 12 to 27 years old is about 87%.

These numbers illustrate the extent of the digital transformation that modern societies are witnessing, as access to the Internet has become an essential part of daily life, education, and communication. However, this widespread spread highlights at the same time the need for policies that ensure the safe use of technology, especially in light of the concerns related to the phenomenon of digital addiction and its potential effects on mental health and social behavior.

From a broader development perspective, this debate emerges within global efforts to achieve a responsible digital transformation that balances expanding access to technology and protecting groups most vulnerable to risks, which is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to good health, quality education, and building institutions capable of managing digital transformation effectively.

In conclusion, movements led by countries such as Indonesia indicate that the discussion about digital addiction is becoming part of the global dialogue about the future of the digital environment. As the use of social media expands among children, the need for policies increases that ensures a balance between taking advantage of the opportunities provided by technology and reducing its potential risks.

The Earth Guards Foundation believes that managing digital transformation in a sustainable manner requires developing regulatory frameworks that protect children and youth without limiting the learning and innovation opportunities provided by the digital world. In this context, regulating the use of digital platforms among minors may become one of the elements of public policies that seek to achieve a safer and more sustainable digital environment for future generations.