Indonesia to ban social media access for children under 16

Indonesia will ban social media access for children under 16 as part of a new digital policy aimed at protecting minors from online threats including cyberbullying, pornography, fraud and internet addiction. The regulation, announced by Communications Minister Meutya Hafid, is expected to come into force on March 28, 2026.

The Indonesian government said accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 on several high-risk platforms will be deactivated as authorities move to strengthen child protection in the country’s rapidly expanding digital environment.

“Accounts belonging to children under 16 on high-risk platforms will start to be deactivated, beginning with YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox,” Meutya Hafid said in a statement on Friday.

According to the Communications Ministry, the restrictions will be implemented in phases until technology companies fully comply with the regulation. Officials say the policy is designed to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and addictive online platforms.

Meutya Hafid said the government had decided to intervene as parents struggle to manage the growing influence of algorithm-driven social media platforms on young users. She added that authorities recognise the new rule could initially create inconvenience for some families and users.

“The government is stepping in so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giants of the algorithm,” she said, describing the move as a necessary response to what officials consider a widening digital safety crisis.

Indonesia’s decision follows a broader international debate about social media access for minors. In December 2025, Australia introduced a law requiring major platforms, including TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat, to remove accounts belonging to users under the age of 16. The policy is currently facing legal challenges, but regulators in other regions are closely watching its implementation.

The European Union has also begun examining similar restrictions. An EU expert group recently started discussions on potential rules aimed at limiting social media use among children. Several European countries, including France, Denmark, Greece and Spain have urged Brussels to consider coordinated action across the bloc.

India has also been exploring proposals for restricting social media use by teenagers as governments worldwide increase scrutiny of digital platforms and their impact on younger users.

Indonesian officials say the new regulation reflects the government’s intention to ensure technology benefits society while protecting children from harmful digital environments. Meutya Hafid said the measure is intended to safeguard the future of younger generations and encourage responsible technology use.

“We are taking this step to reclaim the sovereignty of our children’s future. We want technology to humanise humans, not sacrifice our children’s childhood,” she said.