Indonesia Restricts Social Media Access for Children Under 16 Indonesia has begun implementing a new government regulation that bans children younger than 16 from accessing social media platforms, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to protect minors from online harms. The policy, approved earlier in March 2026, targets platforms deemed high-risk due to their potential to expose young users to pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction. According to Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, the regulation applies to approximately 70 million children in the country, which has a total population of about 280 million. The restricted platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. Hafid emphasized that the implementation would be carried out gradually to allow platforms time to comply. She stated that the government has instructed all digital platforms operating in Indonesia to immediately bring their products, features, and services into compliance with the regulation, with no compromise on enforcement. In line with the new rules, YouTube has confirmed its compliance with Indonesia’s social media curbs, as reported by the minister. The move follows similar actions taken by Australia, which implemented a world-first social media ban for children the previous year. The regulation reflects growing concerns about the vulnerability of women and children to online exploitation, including sextortion, in digital spaces. Authorities have identified high-risk platforms based on factors such as ease of access to strangers, potential predators, harmful content, and risks related to exploitation and data security. While acknowledging the challenges in ensuring platform compliance and monitoring under-16 account deactivations, Hafid stressed the necessity of the measures to safeguard children. “This is certainly a task. But we must take steps to save our children,” she said. The policy is part of broader efforts to address transnational online harms, including cross-border exploitation and youth radicalization, which have intensified with increased digital connectivity. By restricting access for minors, Indonesia aims to reduce opportunities for cybercriminals to target young users and promote safer digital environments for families.
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