Jakarta, March 10 -- Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid engaged around 500 junior and senior high school students in a discussion about the government's plan to restrict access to certain social media platforms for youngsters under 16.

At a forum in Jakarta on Monday (March 9), she clarified that the policy, set to take effect on March 28, is not intended to deprive children of technology but to ensure they are mentally prepared to navigate the digital space and its complexities.

"We decided that 16 is the most appropriate age to begin accessing social media. This is not a unilateral act by the government but the result of lengthy discussions with psychologists and child development experts," she said.

Hafid added ...