Indonesia will ban children under 16 from using high-risk social media platforms starting March 28. The announcement was made by Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, who signed a government regulation to enforce the ban on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live, and Roblox.
Key Takeaways
Indonesia will ban children under 16 from using high-risk social media platforms starting March 28. The move aims to protect children from online threats like pornography, cyberbullying, fraud, and addiction.
- Indonesia bans social media for under-16s on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook
- Implementation begins March 28, with gradual deactivation of accounts
- Government cites concerns over pornography exposure, cyberbullying, online fraud, and addiction
- Parents in Jakarta welcome the move but suggest blocking other harmful websites too
- Indonesia follows Australia's lead in restricting social media access for minors
Hafid emphasized that the decision is driven by concerns over increasingly real threats children face online. These include exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction. The government aims to support parents in protecting their children from these dangers.
The implementation will start gradually on March 28, with accounts belonging to teenagers under 16 being deactivated as platforms fulfill their compliance obligations. Hafid acknowledged that the regulation may cause initial discomfort but stressed its importance in reclaiming sovereignty over children's futures.
Parents and residents in Jakarta welcomed the government’s restrictions, citing concerns about unmonitored access to social media through mobile phones. Marianah, a 43-year-old resident, expressed worry about the freedom children have with photos and videos online, stating that some content is misleading and needs regulation.
Others suggested that the government should also block other harmful websites, such as pornography and online gambling sites. Harianto, a 49-year-old resident, hoped for fair treatment in removing these sites for the sake of children's growth and development.
The announcement comes after Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted a surprise inspection of Meta Platforms’ Jakarta office over concerns about harmful content on its platforms. The ministry issued a stern warning regarding Meta’s low level of compliance with national regulations.
Indonesia follows Australia's lead in restricting social media access for minors, which began in December 2025. Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia. Other countries, including Spain, France, and the UK, are also considering measures to restrict minors’ access to social media.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 7 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.