Three Out of Five Indonesian Children Falsify Age to Access Social Media, Survey Finds

A concerning trend has emerged in Indonesia, where a government-backed survey reveals that a majority of children are falsifying their ages to gain access to social media platforms. Wakil Menteri Komunikasi dan Digital (Wamenkomdigi), Nezar Patria, stated that the survey indicates three out of every five children admit to lying about their age to use social media.

This widespread practice poses a significant challenge to the implementation of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Implementation in Child Protection, also known as PP TUNAS. "There is one survey that shows if there are five children, three children are confirmed to have falsified their ages to be able to access social media. This is common," Nezar said on Sunday.

The core issue lies in the reliance on age verification systems managed by individual social media platforms. The government has urged these platforms to enhance their age identification technologies while strictly adhering to personal data protection regulations. "We have conveyed this to the platforms because the ones who can regulate this are the platforms with the technological solutions they possess. However, age identification must also comply with the principles of personal data protection," Nezar explained.

In response, several platforms are reportedly strengthening their systems. Through algorithms, they aim to identify usage patterns indicative of underage users, particularly when accessing content inappropriate for their age group. "Some platforms have started implementing restrictions. There are children who previously had accounts but can no longer access them because they are identified as underage users," Patria noted.

Beyond technological solutions, Patria emphasized the crucial role of parental involvement in safeguarding children in the digital space. The government is also promoting mechanisms like companion accounts or parental guidance to ensure more effective monitoring of children's online activities. "As parents, we must indeed accompany our children more intensively. The family approach remains an important part of protecting children in the digital space," he added.