Indonesia Enforces Under‑16 Social Media Ban as Austria Moves to Bar Under‑14s

Overview

• Indonesia began enforcing the rule on Saturday, ordering platforms to disable accounts owned by under‑16s, a change that touches about 70 million children.
• The order applies to 'high‑risk' apps such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox, with TikTok vowing to comply and X and Bigo Live already raising age limits.
• Officials have not detailed any age‑verification method, yet they say companies must block underage users or risk fines or suspension.
• Austria reached a coalition deal Friday to bar under‑14s from social media and to add a compulsory 'Media and Democracy' class, with a bill expected this summer.
• Google plans AI age‑detection in Indonesia next year, and recent US jury rulings over harms to minors have heightened pressure for stricter youth safeguards.