Asia-Pacific leads global crackdown on social media risks for children

[ASIA] Some of the world’s most stringent new regulations targeting platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat aren’t emerging from Washington or Brussels—but from capitals such as Canberra, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur.

Across the Asia-Pacific region, governments are spearheading efforts to safeguard children from digital harm, posing a significant challenge to major tech firms including ByteDance, Meta Platforms, and Snap. These companies are now confronting tougher scrutiny in markets that represent some of their largest—and youngest—user bases.

The regulatory drive follows mounting concerns about cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the toll of excessive screen time on children. A recent UNICEF study found that youth in the Asia-Pacific spend between four to six hours a day on social media—well above global averages—prompting lawmakers to act with growing urgency. Technology companies have warned that these measures may hinder innovation and curb freedom of expression, but regional authorities appear undeterred.

Australia enacted a law late last year banning users under 16 from social media platforms, compelling companies to enforce age restrictions. In a similar vein, New Zealand’s ruling party introduced legislation last week echoing the Australian approach.

Indonesia, with over 170 million social media users, has intensified regulation by mandating age checks and requiring parental consent for minors. Meanwhile, Malaysia is weighing legislation that would hold platforms legally accountable for failing to swiftly remove harmful material. These initiatives underscore a regional pivot toward prioritizing children's online safety as a national policy imperative.

For tech firms, the challenge lies in striking a delicate balance. While pledging to work with regulators, industry representatives caution that overly aggressive rules could fracture the digital ecosystem and restrict youth access to beneficial online experiences. Meta, for example, has introduced parental monitoring tools on Instagram, yet critics maintain these do not go far enough to mitigate deep-rooted risks.

The policy wave in Asia-Pacific is also reverberating globally. European lawmakers, proponents of the Digital Services Act, are closely watching these developments to inform their own child safety agendas. In the U.S., where federal legislation remains gridlocked, Australia and New Zealand are being eyed as potential blueprints for bipartisan reform.

As this global debate escalates, one fact is becoming increasingly evident: the front lines of children’s online protection are shifting eastward, with Asia-Pacific countries now shaping the future of digital regulation.