Indonesia has begun implementing a new regulation that restricts children under 16 from accessing several digital platforms, marking a major step toward online safety in the region.
The policy, approved earlier this month, aims to protect children from risks such as pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and addiction. With this move, Indonesia becomes the first country in Southeast Asia to impose such a ban on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.
Authorities said the rollout will happen gradually until all platforms comply. The regulation is expected to impact around 70 million children in a country with a population of about 280 million.
Indonesia’s Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid stated that high-risk platforms are identified based on exposure to strangers, potential predators, harmful content, and risks related to exploitation and data security scams. She acknowledged the challenges in enforcing the rule, especially in ensuring platform compliance and tracking under-16 account deactivations.
“This is certainly a task. But we must take steps to save our children,” Hafid said. “It’s not easy. Nevertheless, we must see it through.”
Reactions among users are mixed. Maura Munthe, a 13-year-old student, said she feels “kind of 50-50” about the decision but mostly agrees with it. She noted that many of her peers are concerned about losing access to entertainment and social interaction.
“There are always other games on my phone, not only the online ones,” she said. “I will likely play more games alone or just hang out with my friends.”
Parents have largely welcomed the move. Leni Sinuraya, 47, said while she trusts her daughter’s phone usage, the regulation is necessary as children increasingly depend on screens.
“Nowadays, when we see kids sitting in a restaurant, they have a phone right in front of them. It’s clear that they’re addicted,” she said. “They won’t eat unless they’re given a phone, and they throw a tantrum if they aren’t.”
“Mealtime is supposed to be a time for us to chat with the people around us,” she added.
Diena Haryana, founder of SEJIWA, highlighted that excessive social media use can impact mental health, causing anxiety and depression. However, she also noted that digital platforms offer learning benefits and stressed the need for balanced guidance.
“We also need to remember that they need to learn to use this digital technology at the right time, at the right age, and with the right guidance as well,” she said.
She added that the real impact of the policy will emerge over time, with both confusion among parents and resistance from children expected. Schools and families will play a key role in encouraging real-world engagement.
So far, responses from platforms remain limited. X has set 16 as the minimum age in Indonesia, stating, “It’s not our choice – it’s what Indonesian law requires.” YouTube said it supports efforts to address online harm while maintaining access to information.
The move follows a similar restriction introduced in Australia in December, where about 4.7 million accounts linked to children were removed. Countries like Spain, France and the United Kingdom are also exploring similar measures.
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