Indonesia to Ban Social Media Accounts for Users Under 16 Starting March 28

Indonesia has announced a major regulatory move aimed at protecting minors from online risks. The government plans to restrict access to several popular social media and digital platforms for children under the age of 16. The measure is part of a broader effort to address issues such as cyberbullying, online scams, inappropriate content, and excessive screen usage among young users.

The announcement was made by Meutya Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs. The new rule will require the deactivation of accounts belonging to users below 16 years old on certain platforms identified as “high risk.” The regulation is scheduled to come into effect on March 28.

Indonesia’s New Social Media Restriction for Children

The Indonesian government believes the restriction will help shield young users from harmful digital experiences while giving parents greater support in monitoring their children’s online activities.

According to Minister Meutya Hafid, underage accounts on specific platforms will be removed once the policy is implemented.

"This will start with platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox," said Hafid, adding that the ban would make Indonesia "the first non-Western country to delay children's access to digital spaces according to age".

The affected platforms include major global technology services such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and the gaming platform Roblox.

As of now, none of these platforms have issued an official response to the government’s announcement.

Government’s Concerns About Online Risks for Children

Indonesia’s government has emphasized that the decision was driven by increasing concerns about the safety of minors online.

"Our children are facing increasingly real threats—ranging from exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, and online scams, to addiction, which is the most significant concern," said Hafid.

She further added:
"The government is stepping in so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giants of algorithm-driven platforms."

These concerns are supported by research from UNICEF. A 2023 report revealed that around half of the 510 Indonesian children surveyed had encountered sexual images on social media, highlighting the scale of exposure to inappropriate content.

Parents React to the Proposed Ban

Many parents in Indonesia have welcomed the policy, believing it could reduce pressure on families trying to manage their children’s online behavior.

Amanda Kusumo, a working mother, expressed relief about the decision.

"As a working mum with two children, especially with a teenage son, I don't have much time to constantly monitor what my son is doing in the digital world," Amanda Kusumo, 42, told the BBC in response to news of the ban.

"With government regulations like this, it really helps ease our worries as parents," she said, adding: "I'm confident that the government's decision will ultimately bring positive benefits for both children and parents."

Mixed Reactions from Teenagers

Some teenagers have expressed mixed views about the proposed restrictions.

Amanda’s 17-year-old son, Matt Joseph, said he understands both sides of the debate.

"It's true that children still can't fully manage their own screen time or control themselves when using their phones. But if the government chooses to completely block all platforms considered "risky" for them, I feel there might be a gentler, wiser way to approach it," he said.

Matt also believes social media plays a major role in youth entertainment and communication.

"It would be nice to have entertainment that feels like it's really meant for us, something that supports learning while still giving us joy."

He suggested that if authorities want teenagers to spend less time on social media, they should also improve alternative entertainment options such as television programming targeted at young audiences.

Experts Raise Concerns About Implementation

While the policy aims to enhance child protection, digital rights experts and advocacy organizations have highlighted several potential challenges.

Indonesia’s child protection agency said it could not yet comment on the proposal until it reviewed the full details of the regulation.

Meanwhile, Nurul Izmi from the Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy pointed out that safeguarding children online should involve more than simply limiting access.

"The basis of safe child protection regulation should also be safety by design," she said.

Izmi also warned that age verification requirements may involve collecting sensitive personal information from minors. She stressed the importance of ensuring that such data collection follows strict privacy principles.

She added:
"In protecting children in digital platforms, it's essential not to overlook guarantees of access to information or children's freedom of expression. In human rights, every restriction on rights must be based on lawfulness, necessity, and proportionality."

Global Trend: Governments Tighten Social Media Rules

Indonesia’s move follows similar developments in other countries that are seeking stronger regulation of online platforms for minors.

In December, Australia became the first nation to require social media companies to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts on their platforms. This policy is being closely monitored by governments around the world.

However, critics in Australia have argued that the restrictions should also apply to gaming platforms like Roblox and communication services such as Discord.

There have also been concerns that age-verification technologies might mistakenly block adults while failing to identify underage users.

Meanwhile, Spain has indicated it may follow Australia’s approach, while the United Kingdom recently launched a public consultation asking young people, parents and guardians to share their views on a possible social media ban for children.

Indonesia’s Previous Online Content Restrictions

Indonesia has previously implemented strict measures to control access to explicit online material.

Authorities have blocked access to several websites and services containing pornographic content. This includes the artificial intelligence chatbot Grok as well as adult-content platforms such as OnlyFans and Pornhub.

These earlier steps demonstrate the country’s ongoing efforts to regulate digital content and protect minors from harmful material.

Conclusion

Indonesia’s decision to ban social media access for users under 16 marks a significant shift in how governments approach child safety in the digital age. By targeting major platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, authorities aim to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying and online addiction.

However, the proposal has also sparked debate about privacy, freedom of expression and the practicality of enforcing age verification systems. As countries around the world explore similar policies, Indonesia’s approach could become an important case study in balancing digital safety with online rights.