Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s
It is the latest country to curb young people's access to digital spaces to try and protect them from abuse.
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Notable Quotes
""Our children are facing increasingly real threats—ranging from exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, and online scams, to addiction, which is the most significant concern.""
— Meutya Hafid , Politician
""With government regulations like this, it really helps ease our worries as parents.""
— Amanda Kusumo , Other
""It's true that children still can't fully manage their own screen time or control themselves when using their phones.""
— Matt Joseph , Other
"The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction."
— Meutya Hafid , Politician
"I think that it has been very worrying for minors, especially children."
— Marianah , Other
"As parents, we hope that online gambling and pornography websites can also be removed."
— Harianto , Other
"The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction. The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms."
— Meutya Hafid , Politician
"We realize that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first."
— Meutya Hafid , Politician
"We realise this may cause discomfort in the beginning."
— Meutya Hafid , Politician
"Our children face increasingly real threats — from exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and, most importantly, addiction."
— Meutya Hafid , Politician
Key People
Amanda Kusumo is a working mother of two children in Indonesia.
Harianto is a resident of Jakarta advocating for broader online restrictions.
Marianah is a resident of Jakarta expressing concern about children's access to social media.
Matt Joseph is a 17-year-old son of Amanda Kusumo.
Indonesian Communication and Digital Affairs Minister.
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All Coverage
It is the latest country to curb young people's access to digital spaces to try and protect them from abuse.
Indonesia will ban social media for children under ... . Hafid in a statement to media ... .
Indonesia is to become the latest country to ban children under the age of ... from using social media. A new government regulation will prohibit children from making accounts on digital platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, ... . The law will be implemented gradually, starting from March 28. 'The basis is clear. Our children ... , from exposure to pornography, cyberbul ... ,' communication and digital affairs minister Meutya Hafid said.
Indonesia's neighbour Malaysia announced in November that it would also ban social media for users under the age of 16 starting from 2026. Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and Digital Minister, said in a video statement that the government will 'delay access' to social media accounts for children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued on Friday. Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on 'high risk platforms' will be gradually deactivated, Meutya said, adding the platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram ... and Roblox.
Children under 16 years old in Indonesia will be prohibited from accessing TikTok, Roblox, Instagram and other online platforms. Indonesia is the latest country to restrict social media usage for minors. The restrictions will apply to 'high-risk' platforms, including YouTube, ... , and Roblox. The restrictions are set to roll out gradually, starting later this month.
Indonesia will implement a ban on children under the age of 16 using social media platforms starting gradually from March 28, 2026, according to Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid. The ban covers platforms considered high-risk, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. The regulation is intended to protect children from threats such as pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and digital addiction. Hafid emphasized that this move is part of a broader effort to address a 'digital emergency' and safeguard the future of children.
Indonesia has become the latest, and most populous, country to say it will ban social media for under-16s. The country - which has the fourth biggest population in the world - has approved new restrictions designed to protect young people online. And with high levels of internet use among its more than 284 million people, the ban could have a big impact. Since Australia brought in the world's first ban of under-16s on social media in December, a succession of other countries - including Spain, France, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Italy - have said they plan to do the same. Indonesia's communications and digital minister, Meutya Hafid, said her government would 'delay access' for under-16s until platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram ... X, Youtube and Roblox 'perform their obligations'.
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