Social media access restrictions for under-16s support children's mental health

Jakarta — Dr. Kristiana Siste Kurniasanti, a psychiatry specialist in addiction disorders and head of the Department of Psychiatry at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital (RSCM), has highlighted the importance of restricting social media access for minors under 16 to support children’s mental health.

In an interview in Jakarta on Tuesday, Kurniasanti noted that the brain areas relevant to decision-making in children under 16 years old are not yet fully developed biologically, meaning children cannot fully comprehend the consequences of their actions.

“When something carries high risk, it must be restricted because the brain function responsible for risk assessment is not yet fully formed. Children cannot be left alone to make such choices,” Kurniasanti said.

Kurniasanti believes that restricting social media access for under-16s can help children avoid various negative impacts associated with high-risk exposure. Once children reach 16 years and older, their ability to assess the benefits and drawbacks of their actions, including social media use, generally improves significantly.

Kurniasanti explained that full maturity in decision-making occurs when the prefrontal cortex—the brain region responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation—is completely formed, typically between ages 20 and 21 years.

However, basic decision-making capacity can develop as early as age 8, though it requires strict parental supervision given its immaturity at that stage. “A child might choose between a red or yellow shirt, but for complex matters, greater maturity is required—typically in young adulthood at ages 20 to 21,” she noted.

Kurniasanti emphasised that parents play the most critical role, particularly in the context of easily accessible and potentially vulnerable digital technology. She believes the government should also educate parents, especially regarding social media use.

Previously, the Ministry of Communication and Digital issued Minister Regulation No. 9 of 2026, which restricts access to digital platforms for children under 16 years old. Under this regulation, derived from Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Administration in Child Protection (PP Tunas), children under 16 are prohibited from having accounts on high-risk digital platforms.

The government is confident that enforcing restrictions on children’s access to high-risk digital platforms represents the best approach to protect children. “We want technology to humanise people, not sacrifice our children’s childhood,” said Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid.