Indonesia's plan to restrict children from social media laud...

JAKARTA - Indonesia's plan to set a minimum age for social media users has been largely welcomed by parents and advocacy groups, although some have also raised a few concerns over the plan, including possible leakage of personal data. Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said on Jan 13 that talks on the age restriction had begun, with the government aiming for a law to protect children online. The plan follows Australia passing a law in late 2024 that bans children under 16 from using social media. An age-assurance trial to test the technology to enforce the Australian law is starting in January, with the ban set to take effect in a year. Australia's move is one of the strictest internet crackdowns on online harms to date. The onus is on social media players such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to stop children under 16 from logging in, or face fines of up to A$49.5 mil...