Indonesia Begins Implementing Landmark Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
Regulation targeting ‘high-risk’ platforms takes effect after one-year transition, positioning Indonesia as first non-Western nation to enforce nationwide restrictions on minors’ digital access
JAKARTA — March 30, 2026 — Indonesia officially began enforcing a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 on Saturday, March 28, becoming the first non-Western country and the first in Southeast Asia to implement such nationwide restrictions as part of a broader push to protect minors from online harm.
The regulation, known as PP Tunas (Tata Kelola untuk Anak Aman dan Sehat Digital), mandates the phased deactivation of accounts belonging to underage users on platforms deemed “high-risk.” The policy follows a one-year transition period since the regulation was signed by President Prabowo Subianto in March 2025 .
Global Markets Rebound as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Drive Oil Below $100, Gold Surges.
Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said the implementation reflects Indonesia’s commitment to digital sovereignty and child protection, with the government giving electronic system operators sufficient time to align with the rules, including submitting compliance commitments and action plans .
Which Platforms Are Affected
The ban applies to a range of social media platforms and digital services, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox — all of which have been identified by the government as high-risk for children due to their interactive features and potential exposure to harmful content .
Minister Meutya emphasized that technology companies operating in Indonesia have no choice but to comply with local laws. “Every business entity operating in Indonesia must comply with the applicable regulations in Indonesia,” she said at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday evening, March 27 .
She warned that authorities retain full powers to act against non-compliant platforms in accordance with existing laws, with potential sanctions ranging from formal warning letters and temporary service suspensions to total access termination within Indonesian territory .
Platforms’ Response: Compliance and Partial Compliance
As of the enforcement deadline, two platforms — X (formerly Twitter) and Bigo Live — have demonstrated full compliance with the new rules, according to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs .
X has raised its minimum user age to 16 for Indonesian users, updating its community guidelines and help center to reflect the change. The platform has committed to deactivating accounts belonging to underage users starting March 28. In a statement, X noted that the age requirement is “not our choice — it’s what Indonesian law requires” .
Bigo Live has increased its minimum age requirement from 13 to 18, submitting changes to app store ratings and implementing layered moderation systems that combine artificial intelligence with human verification to detect and review underage accounts .
Other platforms have been assessed as partially compliant and have been urged to complete their obligations promptly .
TikTok has committed to gradually deactivating accounts of users below 16 and will announce an operational roadmap for users aged 14 to 15. The platform has pledged to maintain close consultations with the ministry to ensure full compliance . TikTok noted its existing safety measures include proactive content removal, with the company claiming 99.1 percent of violating content is taken down before being reported .
Roblox has proposed limiting users under 13 to offline use, effectively restricting their access to online interactive features while preserving the platform’s educational and entertainment value in a controlled environment .
Oil Surges Past $115 as Middle East War Expands, Stocks Tumble Worldwide ‘A New Era of Cosmic Surveys’: NASA to Unveil Complete Roman Space Telescope Ahead of Fall Launch.
YouTube has indicated it is prepared to participate in the government’s “self-assessment” mechanism for compliance .
However, major global platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads — all owned by Meta — have yet to meet the mandatory requirements as of the enforcement deadline .
Rationale Behind the Ban
The Indonesian government cited multiple concerns driving the new regulation, including protecting children from online sexual exploitation, cyberbullying, fraud, and excessive screen time that can lead to addiction and developmental challenges .
According to government figures cited by Anadolu Ajansı, 48 percent of Indonesian internet users are minors under 18. More than 80 percent of Indonesian children spend seven hours online daily, and approximately 35.57 percent of younger children can access the internet .
Minister Meutya emphasized that the regulation also aims to safeguard children’s personal data, which she said is currently widely exposed across social media platforms. “Children do not yet understand which data should not be shared… and children’s data is also exploited for monetization purposes,” she said .
The policy is expected to affect approximately 70 million children in Indonesia, out of a total population of around 280 million .
A Universal Standard for Child Protection
Addressing comparisons with other jurisdictions, Minister Meutya stressed that child protection standards must be applied universally. “Children in Indonesia are just as valuable as children anywhere in Australia… There should be no situation where child protection rules are followed in some countries but not in others,” she said .
The government has emphasized that there will be “no compromise on compliance,” with all digital platforms operating in Indonesia required to adhere to national laws .
Implementation Challenges
Despite the government’s determination, officials acknowledge that enforcement will not be straightforward. Platforms must not only detect but also report the disabling of accounts belonging to users under 16 — a task requiring significant technical infrastructure and close cooperation between government and industry .
“This is certainly a difficult task. But we must act to protect children,” Minister Meutya acknowledged .
The ministry confirmed that the rollout of PP Tunas would be conducted in stages, starting with major platforms, with enforcement to be expanded progressively . The government will continue daily monitoring of digital platforms, and authorities will not hesitate to impose administrative sanctions on companies that fail to fully comply .
Mixed Reactions From Families
The new policy has generated a spectrum of reactions from Indonesian families. Some children expressed regret at leaving behind familiar recreational activities. Maura Munthe, 13, told Vietnam.vn that she uses social media for about four hours a day and feels “half-agree, half-disagree” with the new rule. “I might play other games or spend more time with my friends,” she said, showing initial adaptation to the change .
Conversely, many parents strongly support the measure. Leni Sinuraya, Maura’s mother, argued that children today are too dependent on phones and social media. “They refuse to eat without their phones, and even get angry if they’re forbidden,” she said, emphasizing that family meals should be a time for face-to-face interaction .
Expert Perspectives
Child protection experts offered cautious perspectives on the new regulation. Diena Haryana, founder of the SEJIWA child protection organization in Jakarta, told Vietnam.vn that social media offers both educational benefits and potential psychological risks such as anxiety and depression .
According to Haryana, the issue lies not only in restricting access but also in guiding children to use technology correctly, at the right age, and under supervision. “Children need access to technology at the right time and with the right guidance,” she said, predicting initial negative reactions from both children and parents as the policy is implemented .
She emphasized that schools and families are expected to play a crucial role in helping children transition to real-world activities, from learning to playing .
Regional and Global Context
With the new regulation, Indonesia becomes the second country after Australia to restrict children’s access to social media, following Australia’s landmark law that took effect in December 2025 .
Australia’s ban, which also applies to children under 16, resulted in the closure of approximately 4.7 million accounts in the initial enforcement phase . Indonesia’s approach, however, differs in that it relies on a regulatory framework developed over a one-year transition period rather than immediate enforcement.
The Indonesian policy reflects growing global momentum to regulate children’s access to social media. According to Xinhua News Agency, France and the United Kingdom are advancing similar legislation, while Denmark and New Zealand are considering comparable measures .
In the United States, a California jury recently found that Meta and YouTube’s platform designs were addictive and caused harm to a teenage girl, ordering the companies to pay $6 million in damages — a verdict that has intensified calls for stricter regulation of social media platforms .
What Comes Next
The Indonesian government has stated that compliance status will be monitored dynamically, with ongoing assessments of platform adherence. Platforms that fail to comply face escalating administrative sanctions, including potential access termination within Indonesian territory .
The ministry will continue its phased enforcement approach, starting with the eight designated high-risk platforms before potentially expanding to other digital services . As Minister Meutya emphasized: “The government has the authority to take enforcement measures in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations” .
SOURCES / INPUTS
1 BERNAMA: Indonesia bans social media use for under-16s as PP Tunas takes effect
2 Indonesian National Police: Indonesia Enforces “PP Tunas” to Shield Children on Digital Platforms
The Future of Science & Technology: AI, Space, Biotechnology & Digital Transformation Explained.
Elon Musk Announces ‘Terafab’ Chip Factory to Fuel Tesla, SpaceX AI Ambitions, Russia Fines Telegram App $432,000 for Failing to Remove prohibited Content.
