Sultra's Communications Office Targets Schools for Education on Social Media Ban Under 16

Kendari (ANTARA) - The Communications and Informatics Office (Diskominfo) of Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra) is targeting schools to provide outreach regarding education on the new regulation concerning the minimum age limit of 16 years for social media users.

Acting Head of Diskominfo Sultra, Andi Syahrir, stated when met in Kendari on Monday that this step is a follow-up to the central government’s policy that has implemented the regulation nationally from 28 March 2026 through the Government Regulation on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection.

“We have written to the Education Department to request permission for coordination. In the near future, we will visit schools in Kendari City and surrounding areas to socialise this Minister of Communication and Informatics Regulation,” said Andi Syahrir.

He explained that based on the latest regulation, children under 16 years old are no longer permitted to use social media. Outreach to schools is considered crucial so that students understand these limits as well as the impacts arising from the digital space.

“In addition to direct outreach, we are also preparing derivative regulations at the regional level and intensively conducting persuasive campaigns through various media channels,” he stated.

Andi Syahrir revealed that although the regulation has been implemented, his side continues to emphasise that the most effective supervision remains in the hands of the family, given the limitations of government oversight in the private sphere.

“No matter how strict the rules made, the role of parents at home is very influential. We are also educating parents to be more disciplined in controlling their children’s gadget use because most of the children’s time is spent with the family,” said Andi Syahrir.

Through an approach to schools and education for parents, Diskominfo Sultra hopes that this age restriction regulation can be implemented well to protect the young generation from the negative influences of social media at an early age.