JAKARTA, MAR 28: Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to ban children under 16 from opening or maintaining accounts on high‑risk digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox, as the government rolled out a new regulation on Saturday.
The move, approved earlier this month, is aimed at shielding about 70 million children in the 280‑million‑population country from pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, exploitation and digital addiction. Authorities say implementation will be gradual, with platforms expected to identify and deactivate underage accounts over time.
Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid acknowledged that enforcement will be difficult, as it requires cooperation from global tech companies and robust reporting mechanisms. “This is certainly a task. But we must take steps to save our children,” she said, adding that restrictions are needed despite the complexity.
Thirteen‑year‑old Maura Munthe, who spends about four hours daily on social media and online games, said she feels “kind of 50‑50” about the ban but mostly agrees with it. Her mother, Leni Sinuraya, 47, welcomed the policy, saying parents have often lost control over children’s screen time and digital habits.
Child‑rights activist Diena Haryana, founder of the Semai Jiwa Amini (SEJIWA) foundation, said social media can harm children’s mental health, leading to anxiety and depression, but also acknowledged its educational benefits. She urged parents and schools to guide children in using digital technology responsibly and to help them reconnect with real‑world activities.
Global platforms have begun responding: X (formerly Twitter) now sets 16 as the minimum age for Indonesian users, while Google’s YouTube said it supports Indonesia’s risk‑based framework and is ready to engage in self‑assessment processes.
Indonesia’s step follows a similar social media ban for children introduced in Australia last year, and comes as countries such as Spain, France and the United Kingdom consider tighter restrictions on under‑16 users amid growing concerns about unregulated online exposure.
