Indonesia has announced plans to restrict access to social media for children under the age of 16, joining a growing number of countries introducing age-based regulations to address concerns about the impact of digital platforms on young users. The policy, expected to begin implementation later this month, aims to shield minors from online threats such as cyberbullying, harmful content, fraud, and addiction associated with prolonged social media use.
The proposed regulation was announced by Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, who said the government intends to gradually enforce the restrictions starting March 28. Under the plan, children below the age of 16 will not be allowed to maintain accounts on what authorities have classified as “high-risk” digital platforms. These include widely used services such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Roblox, which have large youth user bases in the country.
Officials said accounts belonging to underage users will be progressively deactivated as platforms adjust to the new regulation. However, detailed mechanisms for enforcement are still being finalised, including how companies will verify users’ ages and prevent minors from creating new accounts.
The government has justified the move by pointing to increasing risks faced by children in the digital space. Authorities say young users are frequently exposed to harmful online experiences ranging from explicit material and online scams to harassment and excessive screen time. Hafid described the situation as a serious challenge for families and said the policy aims to support parents struggling to regulate their children’s online activity.
Indonesia’s push for stricter digital safeguards comes as internet access continues to expand rapidly in the country. Official data indicates that nearly four-fifths of the population was connected to the internet in 2024, while a large number of children already have access to smartphones and social media platforms. Analysts say the widespread use of digital devices among young users has intensified debates over the psychological and social effects of constant online engagement.
The Southeast Asian nation is expected to become the first non-Western country to introduce such sweeping restrictions on children’s social media use. The policy also reflects a broader international trend, as governments across the world increasingly examine ways to regulate technology companies and protect minors online.
Several countries have already moved in a similar direction. Australia implemented a nationwide restriction preventing individuals under 16 from using certain social media platforms, while other countries including France, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom are exploring comparable regulations. Policymakers argue that the growing influence of social media on teenagers’ mental health, privacy, and safety has made regulatory intervention necessary.
Despite the government’s intentions, experts caution that enforcing such bans could prove challenging. Social media platforms often rely on self-reported age information, and verifying users’ identities without raising privacy concerns remains a significant hurdle. Critics also warn that determined teenagers may still find ways to bypass restrictions through alternative accounts or technological workarounds.
Nevertheless, Indonesian authorities maintain that the policy is an important step toward improving online safety for children. Officials say the restrictions are part of a broader effort to strengthen digital governance and ensure that technology companies take greater responsibility for protecting young users from harmful content and online risks.
If implemented successfully, the regulation could reshape how millions of Indonesian teenagers interact with social media and may influence other countries considering similar measures to regulate children’s access to digital platforms.
