Indonesia has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms, in a move aimed at protecting young users from online risks.
The decision was confirmed by Meutya Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, who said the government had signed a new regulation targeting what it describes as high-risk digital platforms.
Under the policy, minors below the age of 16 will be barred from holding accounts on several widely used services, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox and the livestreaming platform Bigo Live.
The new rule will be implemented gradually beginning March 28, allowing time for technology companies to comply with the government’s requirements.
“Our children face increasingly real threats — from exposure to pornography and cyberbullying to online fraud and addiction,” Hafid said in a statement. “The government must ensure that parents are not left alone in confronting the power of algorithms.”
Officials described the move as part of broader efforts to address what they call a growing digital safety crisis among young people. Hafid acknowledged that the new regulation could initially cause discomfort for families but stressed that it was necessary to protect children’s long-term wellbeing.
Indonesia, home to about 285 million people, represents one of the largest social media markets in the world. The policy is expected to affect millions of young users across the country.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions among the public. Some parents in the capital, Jakarta, welcomed the measure, saying unrestricted smartphone use has made it easier for children to access social media without supervision.
Others argued that authorities should also expand restrictions to include harmful online content such as pornography and illegal gambling sites.
The move follows increased scrutiny of technology companies operating in Indonesia. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted an inspection at the Jakarta office of Meta Platforms over concerns about the handling of harmful content on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Officials warned that compliance with national regulations remains inadequate and said the government would continue monitoring digital platforms closely. TikTok and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Indonesia is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to impose such restrictions on youth access to social media. Similar measures have been introduced elsewhere, including in Australia, where social media companies began restricting accounts belonging to minors in December 2025.
