Digital Age Restrictions: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the New Government Regulations

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 12:05 | Digital Transformation | Editorial INTI

Jakarta, INTI – The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) is currently drafting regulations on the minimum age for children using social media. Minister Meutya Hafid stated that the ministry aims to establish a strong foundation for policy-making by collaborating with various stakeholders.

Key Aspects of the New Regulation:

Prohibition of child profiling in the digital space
Setting age restrictions for social media access
Preventing children’s exposure to harmful content
Classifying digital service providers (PSE) based on risk profiles
Developing digital well-being indicators for children
Requiring social media platforms to implement verification technology to prevent minors from pretending to be adults
Mandatory user education initiatives by platforms

Current Age Restrictions on Social Media Platforms:

1. Meta (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Threads)

Users 13+: Allowed to manage their own accounts, but age requirements may vary by region.
Users 10-12:
- Accounts must be managed by a parent or guardian.
- Parents can help transition an inappropriate account to a suitable one.
- If a user provides false age information, they risk losing access to their account.
Parental Control Features:
- Manage passwords and privacy settings
- Monitor screen time
- Restrict app access
- Report violations
- Approve in-app purchases
- Control social interactions

2. Instagram (Teen Accounts)

Instagram has launched Teen Accounts in Indonesia, automatically applying safety features for users under 16. Key protections include:

Private Accounts: Accounts are set to private by default, requiring approval for new followers.
Restricted Messaging: Only allows messages from followed accounts.
Content Filtering: Limits exposure to sensitive content.
Interaction Controls: Limits tags, mentions, and enables automatic anti-bullying filters.
Daily Time Limit: Reminds teens to log off after 60 minutes of usage.
Sleep Mode: Activates automatically from 10 PM to 7 AM, silencing notifications.

3. TikTok

TikTok applies different policies based on user age groups:

Users 14-15:
- Accounts set to private by default.
- No direct messaging allowed.
- Duet, stitch, and video downloads disabled.
- Comments only allowed from friends.
- Cannot appear on the "For You" page.
Users 16-17:
- Accounts private by default (can be changed to public).
- Direct messages and downloads disabled by default.
- Eligible for "For You" page visibility.
Users 18+:
- Accounts public by default.
- Full access to messaging, duet, stitch, and video downloads.
Additional Protections:
- Screen time limited to 60 minutes daily for teens.
- Night notifications disabled for users under 18.
- Collaboration with safety organizations for enhanced child protection.

4. Google & YouTube

Minimum age for a Google account: 13 years old (varies by country, e.g., South Korea: 14, Vietnam: 15).
Children under 13: Restricted to YouTube Kids, unless supervised through Google’s Family Link.
If parental supervision is added to a child’s account, certain data is deleted, including:
- Uploaded videos
- Chat history and comments
- Live chat and posts
- Playlists and stories
- Purchased/rented content
- Subscription lists

Conclusion

With these upcoming regulations, social media platforms may need to adjust their policies further to comply with government standards. The ultimate goal is to create a safer digital environment for children while ensuring they can still enjoy online experiences under proper supervision.

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