By: The Trek News Desk
The Indonesian government has decided to limit access to social media platforms for children below the age of 16. The country’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs announced the new policy on Friday, March 6, 2026. The move aims to protect minors from risks such as online addiction, cyberbullying, and other digital threats.
In recent years, several countries have raised concerns about the impact of social media on children’s safety and mental well-being. As a result, governments around the world are introducing stricter regulations on the use of social media by minors.
Following this trend, Australia implemented a ban on social media for children under 16 in December. Spain also announced last month that it plans to block social media access for users below the same age. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s neighbouring country, Malaysia, declared in November that it would enforce a similar restriction for users under 16 starting in 2026.
Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister, Meutya Hafid, said in a video message that the government has issued a ministerial regulation to control children’s access to social media. According to her, starting March 28, accounts belonging to users under 16 on what the government describes as “high-risk platforms” will be gradually deactivated.
The platforms included under this category are TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox. The minister stated that the implementation will take place in phases, and all platforms will be required to comply with the new rules.
She also acknowledged that the decision might initially create inconvenience for families. Children may express dissatisfaction, and parents could find it difficult to manage their concerns. However, the government believes the measure is necessary to protect young users from issues such as cyberbullying, online fraud, and excessive dependence on social media.
Indonesia, a country with a population of nearly 280 million, has witnessed rapid growth in internet usage in recent years. According to a recent survey, internet penetration in the country reached around 79.5 per cent in 2024.
The survey also revealed that nearly 48 per cent of children under the age of 12 already have access to the internet, with many of them using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Among Generation Z users aged between 12 and 27, internet penetration was reported to be around 87 per cent.
The detailed provisions of the new regulation have not yet been fully disclosed. Government officials have indicated that more information about the policy may be released in the coming days.
Source: News Agencies
