By Ghazali Ibrahim
The government of Indonesia has begun enforcing a nationwide restriction on social media use for children under the age of 16, marking one of the most far-reaching digital safety policies in the region.
The regulation, which took effect from March 28, 2026, bars minors from holding accounts on what authorities describe as “high-risk” platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Roblox and Bigo Live.
The policy is expected to affect roughly 70 million children across the country, making Indonesia the first Southeast Asian nation to implement such a sweeping restriction.
Officials say the move is aimed at shielding young people from online harms such as cyberbullying, pornography, scams and what the government has described as rising “digital addiction.”
Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said the decision was necessary to protect children from increasingly dangerous online environments, framing the issue as a “digital emergency.”
Authorities say enforcement will be gradual, with social media companies required to deactivate or restrict accounts belonging to under-16 users over time.
However, there remains significant uncertainty over implementation.
Experts and parents have raised concerns about the lack of clear technical guidelines, including whether age verification systems will be introduced or how existing accounts will be identified and removed.
Failure by platforms to comply could attract sanctions, including the possibility of being blocked in the country.
Major global tech firms such as Meta, TikTok, YouTube and X have acknowledged the new rules and indicated willingness to comply, with some already rolling out additional safety features and restrictions for younger users.
Gaming platform Roblox, for instance, has introduced tighter controls and limited interaction features for underage users in response to the regulation.
The policy has drawn mixed reactions. Many parents and child welfare advocates have welcomed the move, citing growing concerns over children’s mental health and exposure to harmful content.
However, some young users have expressed frustration and anxiety about losing access to platforms used for entertainment, learning and social interaction.
Indonesia’s decision reflects a broader global shift toward tighter regulation of children’s online activity. Countries such as Australia, France, Spain and the United Kingdom are exploring or implementing similar measures.
