Indonesia has issued summons letters to Google and Meta for failing to comply with a new ban on social media use by children under 16, which came into force over the weekend, the country’s communications minister said.
In a video posted on Instagram late Monday, Minister Meutya Hafid said the government had taken action against Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads and Google, which operates YouTube, accusing both companies of violating Indonesian law.
She said the summonses were part of administrative sanctions in line with existing regulations.
The Southeast Asian nation began enforcing the restriction on Saturday, citing growing concerns over online pornography, cyberbullying, and internet addiction among minors, issues that have sparked global debate over the impact of social media on children’s well-being.
Hafid warned that there would be “no room for compromise” on compliance, adding that both Google and Meta had opposed the regulation from the outset.
While she noted that platforms such as TikTok and Roblox were not yet fully compliant, she said they were making efforts and would receive warning letters instead.
“We will prioritise cooperation with platforms that show goodwill, not only by recognising Indonesia as a digital market, but also by respecting our laws and child protection frameworks,” she said.
Indonesia, home to more than 284 million people, is one of the world’s largest social media markets, with an estimated 70 million users under the age of 16.
“We understand this will not be easy,” Hafid added, noting that Indonesians spend an average of seven to eight hours daily online.
She also called on parents and children to support enforcement efforts by monitoring usage and reporting platforms that fail to comply.
AFP
