Indonesia is implementing a restriction on social media access for children under 16, citing risks like addiction, cyberbullying, and online fraud. The policy will gradually deactivate accounts on platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox starting March 28.
This move aligns with a global trend, as countries like Australia, Spain, and Malaysia have also announced or enacted similar age-based social media bans. The Indonesian government acknowledges initial public discomfort but emphasizes child safety as the priority.
The specific details and enforcement mechanisms of the new ministerial regulation are not yet fully public. The affected tech companies had not provided immediate comment on the announcement.
Main topics: Indonesia's social media age restriction, the global trend of similar bans, the cited reasons (child safety/mental health), and the planned implementation.
Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications and digital ministry said on Friday, making it the latest country to install online guardrails to reduce the risks of addiction and cyberbullying.
A number of governments have imposed curbs on social media for children amid mounting concerns over the impact that social media is having on âthe safety and â mental health â of minors.
Australia introduced a ban on social media for under-16s in December, and Spain also said last âmonth that it would ban access to social media for minors under 16.
Indonesia's neighbour Malaysia announced âin November that it would also ban social media for users under the age of 16 starting from 2026.
Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and Digital Minister, said in a video statement that the government will "delay access" to social â media accounts âfor children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued on Friday.
Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on "high risk platforms" will be â gradually deactivated, Meutya said, adding the platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox.
"The process will be done gradually until all âplatforms perform their obligations," she said, without elaborating on what they need to do to meet the new requirements.
"We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints."
"Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction," she said, adding âIndonesia will be the first non-Western country to impose such restrictions.
TikTok, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Roblox did not immediately respond âto a ârequest for comment.
The details â of the new regulation have yet to be revealed. Ministry officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Internet penetration in Indonesia, a country of about 280 million people, reached 79.5% in 2024, according to a survey of 8,700 people by the Indonesia internet service providers' association.
The survey showed 48% of children under 12 had access to the internet, with some respondents of that age group using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The survey showed internet penetration stood at 87% among "Gen Z" users aged 12 to 27.
A number of governments have imposed curbs on social media for children amid mounting concerns over the impact that social media is having on âthe safety and â mental health â of minors.
Australia introduced a ban on social media for under-16s in December, and Spain also said last âmonth that it would ban access to social media for minors under 16.
Indonesia's neighbour Malaysia announced âin November that it would also ban social media for users under the age of 16 starting from 2026.
Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and Digital Minister, said in a video statement that the government will "delay access" to social â media accounts âfor children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued on Friday.
Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on "high risk platforms" will be â gradually deactivated, Meutya said, adding the platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox.
"The process will be done gradually until all âplatforms perform their obligations," she said, without elaborating on what they need to do to meet the new requirements.
"We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints."
"Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction," she said, adding âIndonesia will be the first non-Western country to impose such restrictions.
TikTok, Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Roblox did not immediately respond âto a ârequest for comment.
The details â of the new regulation have yet to be revealed. Ministry officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Internet penetration in Indonesia, a country of about 280 million people, reached 79.5% in 2024, according to a survey of 8,700 people by the Indonesia internet service providers' association.
The survey showed 48% of children under 12 had access to the internet, with some respondents of that age group using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The survey showed internet penetration stood at 87% among "Gen Z" users aged 12 to 27.
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