Jakarta: Indonesia has introduced a social media ban that prevents children under the age of 16 from creating accounts on several popular digital platforms.
The regulation has been signed by Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid, who has confirmed that the restriction will apply to platforms considered high risk for minors. These include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox and the livestreaming platform Bigo Live.
The social media ban will begin implementation gradually starting from 28 March. Authorities have stated that the phased rollout will continue until all platforms comply with the new national regulations.
Indonesia, with a population of about 285 million people, represents one of the largest markets for social media platforms globally. The government has said the measure aims to address growing risks faced by young users online.
Hafid said that, “The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction.” Hafid added that, “The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms.”
Authorities have described the social media ban as part of broader efforts to address what the government considers a digital safety emergency affecting young people. Officials have indicated that protecting children from harmful online environments remains a priority.
The policy has drawn mixed reactions among residents in Jakarta. Some parents have welcomed the restrictions, stating that children often gain unrestricted access to digital platforms through mobile phones.
Earlier in the week, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted an inspection at the Jakarta office of Meta Platforms. Authorities expressed concerns regarding the company’s handling of harmful content across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
The ministry stated that the inspection also served as a warning regarding compliance with national digital regulations. Social media companies including TikTok and Meta have not issued immediate responses.
Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to implement such restrictions on minors’ access to social networks.
Other countries have also begun considering similar measures. Australia introduced restrictions in December 2025, leading social media companies to revoke access to around 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children.
Governments in Spain, France and the United Kingdom are also examining policies aimed at limiting young users’ exposure to unregulated online content.
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