Islamabad (Manend News)Social Media Addiction, Indonesia bans for under 16 children. However, there is not strategy so far in Pakistan. Recently, Pakistani Senators also from both the treasury and opposition sides on Friday sought a complete or partial ban on the use of social media by children under 18 years of age, warning of serious threats on mental and physical health of teenagers.
Presiding Officer Senator Sherry Rehman proposed the formation of a special House committee including representatives of federal ministries of information technology (IT), interior, and education, all parliamentary parties and provincial governments but left it to the final decision of Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani. Indonesia is set to become the latest country to ban social media for children and teens after the government announced widespread restrictions on the use of online platforms.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said she had approved regulations restricting the use of “high risk” applications YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X and Bigo Live for users under 16. The popular online game Roblox is also on the government’s hit list.
Deactivation of accounts held by minors is set to start from March 28 in a gradual transition process.
In a statement, she explained the rationale behind the move. “The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction.” The minister said “parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms” now that the government has entered the ring on their side.
Acknowledging the move might not be popular among those affected, Hafid said, “We realise that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children’s complaints.”