by Dames Alexander Sinaga
JAKARTA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- On a quiet Sunday morning in Jakarta, 62-year-old Nurul Aisyah watched her 12-year-old granddaughter scroll through social media.
This time, however, her usual concern was replaced by a sense of relief.
The Indonesian government has recently imposed limits on children's access to social platforms, a landmark move aimed at shielding minors from harmful content and the pitfalls of excessive screen time.
Under the new regulation, users under 16 face restrictions on access to a number of social media platforms, with implementation to begin in stages starting March 28.
Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said the phased implementation will continue until all platforms meet their compliance obligations.
"I welcome this rule," Nurul told Xinhua. "Social media is a double-edged sword. In the right hands, it's educational; in the wrong, it can severely harm a child's mental and physical health."
Nurul has already pioneered similar rules at home. "No app downloads without parental approval, strictly limited screen time, and a 'no devices' rule at the dinner table," she explained. "At first, children may feel frustrated, but they eventually adjust and rediscover other meaningful activities."
She identified social media and artificial intelligence as the most daunting challenges for modern parenting. Without proper oversight, children can easily fall victim to, or even become perpetrators of, cyberbullying and online harassment.
Nurul noted recent reports from other parents regarding students being harassed online by their own classmates, underscoring the risks of unchecked digital access.
Indonesia boasts one of the world's largest online populations. Official data showed that nearly half of these users are under 18, with many children reportedly spending several hours online daily.
Without intervention, Nurul fears these habits could foster addictive behaviors and long-term mental health issues.
Denny Irawan, a 32-year-old father of two from Bekasi on Jakarta's outskirts, has witnessed the impact firsthand.
"I've seen kids throw tantrums when their devices are taken away," he said. "If they are glued to screens, they miss out on essential social skills and real-life experiences."
Denny now caps his children's screen time at 45 minutes per day and ensures devices are out of reach at night.
Parents across the archipelago are cautiously optimistic. Many are supplementing the government's mandate with their own household rules, striving to balance the benefits of technology with its inherent risks.
"Social media is here to stay," Nurul said. "But now, our children have a better chance to learn how to use it responsibly." ■
