Information technology expert Ismail Fahmy stated that Indonesia can serve as a model for developing countries in implementing child protection policies against social media risks. This was mentioned in his statements to the Antara News Agency, where he pointed out that Indonesia, which currently has around 70 million children, is adopting policies to protect children from digital dangers.
These policies are based on Law No. 17 of 2025 regarding child protection in cyberspace, which came into effect on March 28, 2026. This law includes eight major digital platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Event Details
Indonesia is currently considered the largest global experiment in protecting children from digital risks, providing protection for 70 million children, a number that far exceeds the 4 million children protected in Australia. This approach is a significant step toward enhancing children's digital safety, as it provides parents with effective tools to protect their children from potential dangers.
Fahmy noted that these policies are not only focused on protecting children but also place a significant responsibility on the companies managing these digital platforms, which must ensure that their services do not harm users but contribute to their protection.
Background & Context
This initiative comes as part of Indonesia's efforts to enhance digital safety, especially amid the increasing use of social media among children and teenagers. With the rising number of internet users, the risks associated with exposure to harmful content or cyberbullying are also increasing.
Historically, Indonesia has suffered from a lack of effective policies to protect children in the digital space, which has led to criticism. However, the implementation of Law No. 17 represents a radical shift in this context, positioning Indonesia at the forefront of countries adopting effective policies for child protection.
Impact & Consequences
These policies are a positive step toward improving digital safety for children, enhancing parents' ability to protect their children from risks. They also put pressure on digital companies to be more responsible in managing their platforms.
Fahmy hopes that economic penalties will be imposed on companies that do not comply with the laws, thereby increasing the effectiveness of these policies. If Indonesia succeeds in this direction, it will become a model for other developing countries.
Regional Significance
In the Arab region, concerns have increased regarding the impact of social media on children and teenagers. Indonesia's experience could serve as an inspiration for Arab countries to develop similar policies for child protection. With the increasing use of the internet in Arab countries, there is an urgent need to establish effective strategies to protect children from digital risks.
In conclusion, Indonesia's experience represents an important step toward enhancing digital safety for children and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between governments and digital companies to protect future generations.