The results of a recent YouGov survey also found that women showed greater support for the planned restriction, with 88 per cent favouring the policy compared to 81 per cent of men.

The online survey involved 892 Indonesian adults aged 18 and above who had at least one child, and was conducted last month after officials started mulling over the possibility of following in the footsteps of Australia, the first country to ban social media use for children under 16.

Exposure to age-inappropriate content was the main reason behind respondents’ overwhelming endorsement of the policy plan, with 81 per cent citing this as a key concern.

It was followed by excessive screen time with 74 per cent, negative mental health impacts with 70 per cent and online spread of misinformation with 62 per cent.

Despite the very positive response, “only half of respondents believed that [imposing a minimum age limit] would be effective in curbing children’s online presence”, YouGov said in a press release earlier this week.

Asked about the ideal age for children to begin using social media, 81 per cent of respondents said between 15 and 17, while 12 per cent said 12-14 years old.

Following a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto last month, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said discussions had begun to draft a regulation on social media age restriction, which would eventually form the basis for a law on child online protection.

The planned restriction comes amid growing concerns about the spread of misinformation on social media and the government’s efforts to curb online gambling.

The plan has the general support of lawmakers and the women’s empowerment and child protection minister.

While agreeing that limiting children’s internet exposure was important, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has also cautioned the government to avoid curbing children’s right to information.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), another independent government agency, said increased digital literacy efforts targeting children and parents should accompany the planned regulation.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) has urged the government to carefully study its plans on restricting children’s social media use to avoid counterproductive policy risks.