Indonesia Restricts Social Media Access for Children Under 16 with New ‘PP Tunas’ Regulation
Jakarta – The Indonesian government is implementing new regulations aimed at protecting children in the digital space, most notably by restricting access to high-risk digital platforms for those under the age of 16. The policy, stemming from Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning Governance of Electronic System Operators in Child Protection – known as PP Tunas – marks a significant step in safeguarding young citizens online.
New Regulations and Age Restrictions
Minister of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) Meutya Hafid announced the issuance of a Ministerial Regulation on Friday, March 6, 2026, as a derivative of PP Tunas. This regulation delays access to accounts for children under 16 years old on platforms deemed “high-risk,” including social media and networking services. Indonesia is positioning itself as one of the first non-Western countries to implement age-based restrictions on digital platform access.
Addressing Online Threats to Children
The government’s move is a response to growing concerns about the vulnerability of children to online threats. These threats include exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online fraud, and, critically, digital addiction. “Our children face increasingly real threats, ranging from exposure to pornography, cyber bullying, online fraud, and most importantly, addiction,” stated Meutya Hafid.
Implementation and Affected Platforms
The implementation phase begins on March 28, 2026, with a gradual deactivation of accounts belonging to children under 16 on high-risk platforms. Initially, the following platforms are included in the policy: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live, and Roblox. Komdigi plans to extend compliance obligations to all platforms in stages.
Parental Concerns and Government Support
Officials acknowledge that the implementation may cause initial inconvenience for both children and parents. “We are aware that the implementation of this regulation may cause inconvenience at first. Children may complain, and parents may be confused about dealing with their children’s complaints,” Meutya Hafid noted. However, the government emphasizes that the policy aims to alleviate the burden on families by helping parents protect their children from the negative impacts of the digital world.
PP Tunas: Age-Based Access Guidelines
PP Tunas outlines specific guidelines for platform access based on age:
- 13 years old: Can have accounts on products, services, and features specifically designed for children with a low-risk profile.
- 13 – 16 years old: Can have accounts on products, services, and features with a low-risk profile, with parental consent.
- 16 – 18 years old: Can have accounts on products, services, and features, with parental consent.
Game Ratings and Content Standards
For gaming, Indonesia will reference the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS) categories:
- 3+: Content is safe for young children, without depictions of violence, drugs, or inappropriate themes. No online interaction is permitted.
- 7+: Suitable for elementary school children, with light fantasy elements but still avoiding excessive violence, drugs, or horror. Direct online interaction is prohibited.
- 13+: For teenagers.
Protecting the Future of Indonesian Children
The government views this policy as a crucial step in protecting the future of Indonesian children. “This is a step that the government must capture to protect our children. We want technology to humanize humans, not sacrifice our children’s childhoods,” Meutya Hafid concluded.
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