Indonesia to Restrict Social Media Access for Children Under 16 Starting March 28
JAKARTA — Indonesia will ban children under the age of 16 from accessing high-risk digital platforms, including major social media services, under a new regulation set to take effect on March 28, 2026, according to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs .
Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced on March 6 that the government has issued Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026, implementing Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection, known as PP Tunas . The regulation will delay access to high-risk platforms until age 16, while lower-risk services will be available from age 13 .
“The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction,” Hafid said in a video message posted on the ministry’s social media platform on March 6 .
Platforms Affected
According to the minister’s announcement, accounts belonging to children under 16 on platforms deemed high-risk will be deactivated. The list includes YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live, and Roblox .
The implementation will be carried out gradually starting March 28, continuing until all platforms fulfill their compliance obligations under the regulation .
Government Rationale
Hafid cited data indicating significant risks to children in digital spaces. According to UNICEF data cited by the ministry, approximately 50 percent of Indonesian children online have encountered sexual content, while 42 percent reported feeling fearful or uncomfortable due to their digital experiences . Government figures also recorded around 1.45 million cases of online child exploitation .
“Half of Indonesian children have been exposed to sexual content on the internet. This is a serious warning for all of us. Digital platforms must take responsibility for protecting children,” Hafid told a coordination meeting in Jakarta on March 5 .
Indonesia has one of the world’s largest online populations, with around 229 million internet users. The ministry noted that nearly 80 percent of children are already connected to the internet, exposing them to significant risks .
The regulation identifies multiple risks including harmful content, predatory interactions, exploitation, and addiction. Its implementation will involve cooperation across ministries including education, health, child protection, and law enforcement agencies .
Government Position on Industry Concerns
Hafid rejected industry concerns that the policy could hamper innovation or the digital economy, stating that economic impact cannot justify compromising child protection .
“There is no innovation and no digital economy that targets crimes against children,” she said, adding that similar rules have been adopted in Australia and across Europe .
In a statement on March 6, Hafid described the government’s role as supporting parents. “The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giants of algorithms,” she said .
She acknowledged that implementation may cause initial difficulties. “We realize that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children’s complaints,” Hafid said .
Inspection of Meta Office
Earlier this week, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted a surprise inspection of Meta Platforms’ Jakarta office over concerns about the handling of harmful content on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp .
The ministry issued a statement saying that through this inspection, the minister issued a stern warning regarding Meta’s low level of compliance with national regulations .
TikTok Indonesia and Google Indonesia did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Broader Context for Gaming Platforms
The regulation extends to online gaming platforms as well. Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision at the Ministry of Communication and Digital, stated in January that all platforms are obliged to comply with child protection regulations, including strengthening age verification, limiting interaction features, and implementing effective content moderation .
Sabar addressed concerns about minors accessing gaming platforms by impersonating their parents, emphasizing that the ministry continues to communicate with online gaming platforms regarding this issue .
For user-generated content games, the government has established the Indonesian Game Rating System as a standard for age and content classification, as well as an educational tool for the public .
Comparison with International Measures
Indonesia will become the first country in Southeast Asia to restrict children’s access to social media . The restriction of social media access for teens began in Australia in December 2025, where social media companies have revoked access to approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children .
A European Union expert group began work in early March on a similar social media ban for children . France, Denmark, Greece, and Spain have been pushing for similar action at the EU level, and India has been considering a teen social media ban of its own .
Hafid noted that similar rules have been adopted in Australia and across Europe, providing precedent for Indonesia’s approach .
Public Response
Residents and parents in Jakarta expressed support for the government’s restrictions, particularly regarding children’s access to social media through mobile phones .
Marianah, 43, a Jakarta resident, said: “I think that it has been very worrying for minors, especially children. Because they have too much freedom with photos, videos and everything. Some education is educational, but some is misleading. So we really need to sort through social media again” .
Harianto, 49, another Jakarta resident, suggested the government should also block other harmful websites. “As parents, we hope that online gambling and pornography websites can also be removed. So, in a sense, the government must also be fair. This is for the sake of the people themselves, for the children, and for the children’s growth and development” .
Implementation Timeline
PP Tunas is scheduled for full enforcement on March 28, 2026 . Hafid acknowledged challenges in applying the rules nationwide but insisted that digital platforms operating in Indonesia must comply with local regulations .
The process of deactivating accounts belonging to children under 16 on the identified high-risk platforms will be carried out gradually until all platforms meet their compliance obligations .
With inputs from:
ANTARA: Child safety rule March 2026
ABC News: Indonesia bans social media under-16s
BERNAMA: Block under-16s high-risk platforms
NY Post: Indonesia bans YouTube/TikTok/FB/IG
The Future of Science & Technology: AI, Space, Biotechnology & Digital Transformation Explained.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01: World’s First Tire with On-Demand Grip and OpenAI Launches GPT-5.3 Instant, Curing AI ‘Preachiness’ While Promising GPT-5.4 Is Coming Soon.
