Sociologist: Social Media Restrictions for Children to Build Character

Makassar (ANTARA) - A sociologist from Hasanuddin University in Makassar, Dr Nuvida Raf, stated that the government’s plan to impose restrictions on social media access for children is viewed as a strategic step in building the character of the younger generation.

“This policy is part of efforts to strengthen child protection in the digital space, which will begin to be implemented gradually on 28 March 2026,” said Nuvida in Makassar on Saturday.

The restrictions are a derivative of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Operators in Child Protection.

This regulation targets limitations on social media use for children under 16 years old on high-risk digital platforms.

The sociologist from Unhas assessed that this policy is important to protect the children’s socialisation process. According to her, direct social interactions remain the primary foundation in shaping children’s character, empathy, and communication skills.

In addition, exposure to negative content on social media, such as cyberbullying, exploitation, and digital addiction, is also a primary reason for the need for restrictions. The government itself describes this policy as an effort to protect children from various risks in the digital space.

Nuvida emphasised that the restrictions are not merely prohibitions, but part of the character education process. By limiting access, children are expected to have more time for direct interactions, learning social values, and developing emotional intelligence.

Nevertheless, she also reminded that the success of this policy greatly depends on the role of parents and the environment. Supervision and digital education are still needed so that children understand the reasons for the restrictions and do not seek ways to circumvent them.

With the implementation of this policy, it is hoped that a safer digital space will be created while encouraging Indonesian children to grow with stronger character, mental health, and good social skills in the real world.