Minister says regulations aimed to protect children in digital realm
According to him, the digital transformation has created a new ecosystem, including the rise of educational and impactful content creators.
“On the other hand, the government has a huge responsibility to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, especially children,” Agtas said.
Data from 2025 shows around 240 million active internet users in Indonesia, with approximately 70 million under the age of 16.
This situation prompted the government to enforce a policy restricting children under-16 access to social media, as regulated in the Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2026, effective March 28, 2026.
Agtas affirmed that the policy is based on protecting children from age-inappropriate content, referencing good practices from other countries.
He noted that the Ministry of Law has a strategic role in drafting and overseeing regulations, especially as digital transformation eliminates cross-border communication limits.
Beyond child protection, he also called for fair royalty distribution for creative industry players, aiming for transparent management in the global digital ecosystem.
The minister also stressed the importance of ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption brings economic value for media, protecting creators and balancing economic benefits.
“Indonesia is a large market with high potential, so it requires a shared commitment from industries,” he said.
The meeting, attended by global tech companies including Meta, Google, Apple, and Salesforce, aimed to strengthen Indonesia’s international partnerships in building adaptive, inclusive, and fair digital-era regulations.
US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Executive VP Marc Mealy, along with representatives from Meta Indonesia and Google Indonesia, affirmed their commitment to collaborate on child protection, digital regulation, and fostering a sustainable creative economy.
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Translator: Agatha, Kenzu