Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid made the remarks after the regulation was officially ratified by President Prabowo Subianto at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday.
"(Digital) platforms are prohibited from making children a commodity," Hafid said.
The prohibition is one of the five main points of the regulation, which also requires digital platforms operating in Indonesia to prioritize the protection of children rather than commercialization.
Regarding the prohibition on child data profiling, she explained that the regulation aims to ensure that no more children are exposed to content that is dangerous, commercially exploitative, and threatens personal data.
Meanwhile, regarding age restrictions on digital platform use, Hafid said that the provision refers to children's developmental age.
"This is not a general access restriction. If the child uses (an account) belonging to a parent with parental supervision, that is allowed," she explained.
However, children who wish to have a personal account must follow the provisions on age.
"If there is a platform that is considered low risk, then in the child's development at the age of 13, it is considered that they are able to access it independently. Then, for low to moderate risks, at the age of 16, they can create (an account) independently," Hafid expounded.
Although children aged 16 can create accounts independently on digital platforms, they will need access, which will require parental supervision and guidance. Meanwhile, those aged 18 can create accounts and access digital platforms independently.
"(The age) of a child according to Indonesian law is a child up to 18 years old. However, will access be granted at 18 years old? Well, we do not apply a general rule, because what our team pays attention to is the child's growth and development," Hafid said.
Translator: Genta Tenri Mawangi, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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