Hafid said here on Wednesday that public support is crucial for the regulation to have a tangible impact. She urged Information and Technology Volunteers (RTIK) and other community groups to help the government educate the public, including in remote areas, about the new rule.
"Because this takes the form of government regulation, of course, when we read it, it can be a bit confusing. Thus, we need help from fellows to introduce this regulation to parents across Indonesia," she noted.
The regulation, which was inked by President Prabowo Subianto on March 28, 2025, still has yet to show any significant impact. She said that this is because a regulation typically needs at least a year for people to adjust to the implementation.
She cited Australia as an example, where a similar law issued in November 2024 only began to take full effect on December 10 due to the complexity of its implementation.
Hafid expressed optimism that Indonesia’s regulation would be effectively implemented by next year.
During the drafting process, the government worked closely with the National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI), UNICEF, children-focused institutions, and children themselves, she said. According to Hafid, successful implementation requires the involvement of digital platforms, parents, and children alike.
She stressed that parents need to be informed about the regulation, as children often access social media with the consent of their parents or guardians. However, the regulation focuses on sanctions for digital platforms rather than penalties for parents or children.
"Because (from) the Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry, the law pertains to cyberspace, not toward the parents. So if a platform is found to have, for example, a 10-year-old playing on social media, the platform will be sanctioned," she explained.
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Translator: Sri Dewi Larasati, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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