Indonesia To Ban Social Media For Children Under 16

Jakarta: (Web Desk) – The government of Indonesia has announced plans to restrict access to social media platforms for children under the age of 16, citing growing concerns about online pornography, cyberbullying, internet fraud, and digital addiction.

Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said accounts belonging to users below 16 years on high-risk digital platforms will gradually be deactivated. The affected platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

According to the minister, the government decided to intervene so parents would not have to deal alone with the challenges posed by powerful digital algorithms. The new regulation is scheduled to take effect on March 28, 2026.

Officials said the restrictions will be implemented in phases until all social media companies comply with the new regulations. Authorities believe the policy will help create a safer digital environment for young users.

Meanwhile, technology companies including Google and TikTok Indonesia have not yet issued immediate responses to the announcement.

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The move comes as several countries worldwide consider similar restrictions. A group of experts from the European Union has recently started examining the possibility of introducing comparable rules for children’s social media access. Earlier, Australia required platforms to remove accounts belonging to users under 16.

Officials in France, Denmark, Greece, and Spain have also advocated for similar policies across Europe, while India is reportedly evaluating a possible ban for teenage users.

Minister Meutya acknowledged that the regulation may initially inconvenience some users but emphasized that it is necessary in what she described as a “digital emergency.” She said the measure aims to protect children and ensure technology contributes positively to their development rather than harming their childhood.

A spokesperson for YouTube stated that the company is reviewing the regulation and will continue working with the government to support parental guidance while ensuring young people maintain access to educational content.