Legal Restrictions on Children's Access to Social Media in Indonesia: Comparative Study and Policy Adoption from Several Countries

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to address the risks associated with children's excessive use of social media in Indonesia, where children are exposed to mental health problems like anxiety, depression, and developmental delays due to the country's rapid digital growth. However, laws regarding age restrictions, verification, parental consent, and platform responsibilities are still inconsistent. It employs a normative juridical approach in conjunction with a comparative study of laws in the US, Malaysia, Singapore, China, South Korea, France, Australia, and the UK. These laws include safety-by-design requirements, screen-time limits, age-appropriate designs, real-name systems, and parental controls, among other preventive measures. The findings indicate that Indonesia has a significant regulatory gap, with no specific framework for protecting children online and weak connections between legislation, health data, and initiatives to promote digital literacy. This demonstrates how Indonesia's attention on cybercrime is inadequate in comparison to proactive worldwide approaches. To sum up, Indonesia need a comprehensive reform of its policies. Mapping global trends, identifying local deficiencies, and putting forth a child-centered plan based on the Constitution, Pancasila, and the child's best interests that combines legal reforms, platform accountability, parental advice, and national literacy programs are all part of the impact