Nanda Andrianta, Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – The government's decision to restrict social media accounts for children aged 16 and younger may not provide adequate protection unless digital platform algorithms are also regulated, according to a media expert.

The policy, which applies to popular platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and the online gaming platform Roblox, is intended to shield children from risks in the digital environment, ranging from exposure to harmful content to the potential for social media addiction.

However, an expert says the problem goes beyond the age of users.

"Social media issues are not only about who is allowed to access the platforms. The way digital algorithms work also requires serious attention," said Radius Setiyawan, a media expert at Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya.

Radius said algorithm regulation is just as important as age restrictions because many social media platforms are designed to maximize user engagement. Their recommendation systems often prioritize sensational, extreme, or emotionally charged content – material that may be inappropriate for children's psychological development.

"The problem is not only who can access the platforms, but how algorithms push users to stay on them longer," he said. "If algorithms are not regulated, age restrictions could end up being merely symbolic."

Radius urged the government to introduce regulations governing digital recommendation systems to make them safer for children, for example, by limiting the distribution of harmful content.

He pointed to the European Union's Digital Services Act, which requires technology companies to be more transparent about how their content recommendation systems operate.

A double-edged sword

The policy has drawn mixed reactions from parents.

Herman, a father of two children aged 7 and 12, said he feels "50-50" about the regulation. Instead of banning access entirely, he manages his children's digital habits through screen-time limits.

"I give them around five hours of screen time per week. Because of that limit, they usually choose to play games rather than scroll through social media," he said.

"It's a double-edged sword. There's useful information, but also harmful content. As long as parents supervise them properly, strict regulation may not always be necessary."

Major technology companies have begun responding to the policy.

Instagram and Facebook currently require users to be at least 13 years old to create accounts. A YouTube representative said the platform is reviewing the regulation while emphasizing its long-standing commitment to child safety and access to educational content.

"YouTube has invested for more than a decade in child safety," the representative said, adding that the company will continue engaging with the government while maintaining access to learning resources.

TikTok said it is coordinating with the Communications and Digital Ministry to better understand how the regulation will be implemented.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/tech/social-media-crackdown-faces-calls-for-algorithm-oversigh