Indonesia Bans Social Media for Under-16s Amid Addiction Concerns

Indonesia is implementing a ban on social media access for children under the age of 16, effective March 28, 2026. The move, announced by Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, aims to protect minors from exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online fraud, and addiction.

Which Platforms are Affected?

The ban applies to a range of popular platforms considered “high-risk,” including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live, and Roblox [1]. Accounts belonging to users under 16 on these platforms will be deactivated.

Government Rationale

Minister Hafid stated the government is intervening “so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the algorithm giants” [1]. The decision comes amid a “digital emergency” as authorities seek to reclaim sovereignty over children’s futures.

Phased Implementation and Compliance

The implementation of the ban will be gradual, allowing platforms time to fulfill compliance obligations [1]. The government has not yet detailed how platforms will verify users’ ages, a challenge faced by similar regulations elsewhere.

Public Reaction

Residents in Jakarta have generally welcomed the restrictions. Marianah, a Jakarta resident, expressed concern over minors’ unrestricted access to social media, noting the presence of both educational and misleading content [1].

International Context

Indonesia’s move follows similar restrictions enacted in other countries. Australia has ordered TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat to delete accounts of users under 16, while France recently voted on a bill banning children under 15 from social media [3]. Denmark, Greece, and Spain are also advocating for similar measures at the European Union level.

Recent Government Action

Prior to the ban announcement, Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted an inspection of Meta’s Jakarta office, expressing concerns about the handling of harmful content on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp [4].