Indonesia is set to begin restricting access to social media for children under 16 starting March 28. The move places Indonesia among a growing number of governments introducing rules aimed at limiting minors’ exposure to online risks such as cyberbullying, fraud, and excessive use. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said in a video statement that the government will “delay access” to social media accounts for children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued this week. Under the plan, accounts belonging to under-16 users on “high-risk platforms”, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Roblox, will be gradually deactivated.
What Indonesia said about the new social media rule
“The process will be done gradually until all platforms perform their obligations,” Meutya told Reuters without detailing the specific steps companies must take to comply. She acknowledged the transition could initially create difficulties for families, saying, “We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning. Children may complain and parents may be confused dealing with their complaints.”The minister said the policy is intended to address the risks minors face online. “Our children are facing risks, from porn, cyberbullying, online fraud to most importantly, addiction,” she added. However, the Indonesian ministry has yet to disclose the details of the new regulation, Reuters reported.Indonesia joins countries like Australia and Spain that have recently introduced restrictions on social media access for minors, while neighbouring Malaysia has also announced plans to implement a similar ban for users under 16 starting in 2026.According to a survey of 8,700 people conducted by the Indonesian Internet Service Providers’ Association, internet penetration in Indonesia, a country with a population of about 280 million, reached 79.5% in 2024.The survey found that 48% of children under 12 had internet access, with some in that group using Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. It also showed that internet penetration among “Gen Z” users aged 12 to 27 stood at 87%.
