Indonesia to ban under-16s from ‘high-risk’ social media platforms

Indonesia will begin restricting access to some social media platforms for users under 16 from March 28, marking one of the region’s toughest moves yet to curb children’s exposure to harmful online content. Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced the measure on Friday, saying the government had signed a regulation that would gradually stop children under 16 from holding accounts on platforms deemed “high risk”. Hafid said the rule would apply to platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox. However, the ministry has not yet publicly set out the full compliance mechanics. “The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud and, most importantly, addiction,” Hafid said in a media statement announcing the policy. She added that “the government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms”. The move builds on a broader child online safety framework launched by President Prabowo Subianto last year aimed at strengthening protections for minors in the digital sphere. Hafid acknowledged the roll-out could prove disruptive for families. “We realise that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children’s complaints,” she said. However, the minister argued the policy was necessary to protect children from online risks in a country where digital usage among young people is already widespread. Internet penetration in Indonesia reached 79.5 per cent in 2024, while 48 per cent of children under 12 already had internet access and some were using Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, according to a survey by the Indonesian Internet Providers Association. The restriction also comes amid a broader push by Jakarta to force global technology companies to do more to police harmful content. A day before announcing the under-16 measure, the ministry issued a “stern warning” to Meta after an unscheduled visit to its Jakarta office, alleging poor compliance in handling disinformation, online gambling, defamation and hate speech. “Disinformation, defamation, and hate content threaten lives in Indonesia, yet Meta has allowed them to persist,” Hafid said. Indonesia is the first country in Southeast Asia to impose such a restriction, following similar child social media controls or proposals in countries including Australia and Spain. Neighbouring Malaysia has also moved in that direction, saying late last year that it would introduce a similar under-16 social media ban in 2026, although no specific implementation date has been announced. What remains unclear is how aggressively the new rules will be enforced, including what age-verification systems platforms will be expected to use and how quickly existing underage accounts will be removed after March 28. Some education experts have welcomed the policy’s intent but questioned whether it can be effectively enforced online. “Social media restrictions are necessary. Some online crimes and sexual violence against children start on social media and through online gaming friendships,” said Retno Listyarti, chair of the expert council of the Indonesian Teachers’ Union Federation. “It’s a good intention for the government to issue regulations to protect children; this needs to be supported.” However, she warned that the technical and behavioural realities of the internet could make enforcement difficult. “The question is, how does the government implement this in cyberspace?” Listyarti said. Children in Indonesia are often highly adept with technology and may be able to bypass restrictions by creating accounts under false names or ages, she added, while others could simply use accounts belonging to parents or relatives. “This regulation must be accompanied by education for parents and teachers so they can act as the vanguard in protecting children,” she said. Technology policy experts have also stressed the need for clear oversight and public communication. “For this regulation to be effective, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs must provide extensive public awareness and education to prevent differences in perspectives regarding social media age restrictions between platforms, the public and the government,” said Heru Sutadi, executive director of the Information and Communication Technology Institute. “This is a good regulation to protect Indonesian children so they can become the golden generation in 2045,” he added, referring to Indonesia’s national vision of building a highly skilled and competitive population by the centenary of its independence. But Sutadi cautioned that the policy’s impact would depend heavily on enforcement. “Implementation and oversight must be clear. If oversight is weak and lax, and there is discrimination in imposing sanctions on platforms, this regulation will ultimately not provide maximum benefits.” Additional reporting by Reuters and the Associated Press.

Indonesia to ban under-16s from ‘high-risk’ social media platforms

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Minister Meutya Hafid said the restrictions would protect children from online harms, but experts warned enforcement might prove difficult

Minister Meutya Hafid said the restrictions would protect children from online harms, but experts warned enforcement might prove difficult