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Indonesia announced on Friday that it will ban social media access for users under 16, citing concerns over online pornography, cyberbullying, internet scams, and addiction.
“Accounts belonging to minors under 16 on high-risk platforms will begin being deactivated, starting with YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox,” said Communications Minister Meutya Hafid in a statement.
“The government is stepping in to help parents who are struggling against these algorithm-driven giants. The rollout will start on March 28, 2026,” she added.
The ban will be implemented gradually “until all platforms meet their compliance obligations.”
Neither TikTok Indonesia nor Google Indonesia responded immediately to requests for comment.
A similar social media ban for minors is also being studied by a European Union expert group, following Australia’s December requirement for TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and other platforms to remove accounts held by users under 16.
Brussels is closely monitoring Australia’s efforts, which have already faced legal challenges.
France, Denmark, Greece, and Spain are advocating for similar regulatory action at the EU level, while India is considering its own youth social media restrictions.
Meutya acknowledged that the new regulation might cause some initial inconvenience for Indonesian users but emphasized it as a necessary step amid what she described as a digital emergency.
“We are acting to protect our children’s future sovereignty. Technology should humanize us, not rob childhood from our kids,” she stated.
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