Indonesia is moving ahead with plans to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16, prompting major tech platforms to begin discussions with the government over the new rule.
Video platform YouTube and social media giant TikTok confirmed they are engaging with Indonesian authorities as the country prepares to introduce the restriction later this month.
Under the new ministerial regulation distributed on Monday, platforms will be required to deactivate social media accounts considered “high risk” if they belong to users under the age of 16.
Last week, several major platforms were identified by Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Ministry as falling into the high risk category. They include Roblox, Instagram, Google’s YouTube and TikTok, which is owned by China based company ByteDance.
YouTube said it is currently reviewing the regulation to better understand how it will be implemented while ensuring young users can still benefit from educational content online.
“We will continue to engage constructively with the government and remain committed to protecting youth in the digital world, not from it,” a spokesperson said.
TikTok also confirmed it is in discussions with the ministry to understand the provisions within the new rule.
A spokesperson said the platform already provides more than 50 preset safety, privacy and security features designed specifically for teen accounts.
Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister, Meutya Hafid, said the deactivation requirement will take effect on March 28.
Prior to the regulation being released, Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, warned that strict bans could unintentionally push teenagers towards less regulated online spaces.
The company noted that both Instagram and Facebook already include built in safeguards for teen accounts.
A number of countries around the world have begun introducing restrictions on children’s social media use amid growing concerns about online safety and the mental health of young users.