TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has prohibited children under 16 from holding accounts on several major social media and digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid said the policy follows the enactment of derivative regulations under Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Protecting Children, also known as PP Tunas. The regulation aims to strengthen protections for children in the digital space.
“Through this regulation, the government is postponing access for children under 16 to high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,” Meutya said in an official statement on Friday, March 6, 2026.
Meutya, who also serves as Deputy Chair of the Golkar Party, said Indonesia is among the first non-Western countries to implement age-based restrictions on children’s access to digital platforms.
She emphasized that the move is intended to shield children from online dangers, including exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, fraud, and digital addiction.
The policy will take effect on March 28, 2026. In its initial phase, accounts belonging to children under 16 on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox will be gradually deactivated. Komdigi said the rollout will continue progressively until all platforms fully comply with the new regulations.
Acknowledging that the policy may cause frustration for children and parents, Meutya said the restrictions are a necessary step in response to what she described as a digital emergency.
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