Indonesians support Government’s proposal to regulate social media usage for children but are divided on its effectiveness

In a move that mirrors Australia’s recent efforts, the Indonesian government is poised to introduce groundbreaking legislation regulating social media usage among children under 17. New data from YouGov Surveys reveals overwhelming public support for this initiative, with 84% of Indonesian parents with at least one child under 18 backing the proposal to set a minimum age for social media access. Women show greater support, with 88% in favor of the measure compared to 81% of men.

This widespread endorsement comes as concerns over the impact of social media on younger generations continue to rise. Exposure to age-inappropriate content remains the biggest concern for Indonesian parents regarding social media usage by children, with 81% citing this issue. Other concerns include addiction or excessive screen time (74%), negative mental health impacts (70%), and the spread of misinformation (62%).

However, while the majority agrees with the regulation, only half (50%) believe that it will be effective in curbing children’s online presence. A smaller portion (17%) doubts the legislation's effectiveness, and 33% remain neutral on the matter.

According to YouGov data, nearly half of the respondents (49%) report that their children are already active on social media, while 45% say their children do not use it. Despite this, 82% of parents allow their children access to social media in some capacity. Among them, over a third (35%) monitor their children’s activity periodically, 28% allow access through their own devices, and 14% set time limits on usage. Only 18% of parents have fully prohibited their children from using social media.

When asked about the ideal age for children to begin using social media, 81% of parents believe that ages 15-17 are appropriate, while 12% feel that 12-14 is a suitable starting point.

Additionally, the survey found that most Indonesians favor limiting screen time. About half (50%) agree that up to 2 hours a day is the ideal amount of time children should spend on social media, while 43% suggest 3-5 hours as the optimal duration. A very small percentage considers anytime beyond this acceptable.

Regarding the safety of different platforms, TikTok is considered the most dangerous for children, with 58% of respondents expressing concerns. X (formerly Twitter) follows closely with 51% citing it as a potential risk. In comparison, YouTube and Instagram are seen as safer platforms, though many respondents hold a neutral stance regarding their potential dangers.

Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in Indonesia with a sample size of 892 respondents. The survey was conducted online during January 2025. Data uses online representative samples. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.