Indonesia Bans Social Media for Under-16s: A Global Shift

0:00Indonesia is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to ban social media for kids under 16, starting March 28th. The rule targets platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X and others, affecting about 70 million young people, far more than Australia's similar restriction. Government officials say the move protects children from dangers like pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction to algorithms. This won't have to battle these tech giants alone, but experts worry about enforcement, especially spotting fake ages in such a huge population. A 14-year-old influencer, with hundreds of thousands of followers, feels heartbroken, as she uses the platforms to advocate for kids' rights and support her ill mother's medical bills through brand deals. Meanwhile, another teen welcomes the ban, saying it cuts excessive screen time and lets her focus on reading and friends via messaging apps. Some media companies are responding quickly.

1:00X plans to raise its minimum age to 16 and deactivate younger accounts while TikTok and meta engage with officials to keep safe spaces for teens, other nations like Malaysia, India, and the Philippines are eyeing similar steps. As these policies roll out worldwide, the big question remains how well they'll work without driving kids to risk your corners of the internet, and whether young voices get heard in the process. That's your update from Adelaide News Today, powered by AI, I'm Corey with The Story.