Indonesia outlines plan to limit under-16s’ access to social media

Indonesia is set to join the growing list of nations imposing regulations on children's access to social media, following similar initiatives in Australia and Malaysia. However, the approach taken by Indonesia diverges from Australia's outright ban on users under 16, opting instead for a tiered system based on age. On Friday, the Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs announced that children aged 13 and above will be permitted to access certain social media platforms classified as 'lower-risk.' In contrast, those considered 'higher-risk' will only be accessible to individuals over the age of 16. High-risk platforms include popular sites such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox, as outlined by Minister Meutya Hafid in an Instagram video. The new regulations are anticipated to take effect a year after their formal ratification on March 28, 2026. Indonesia is not alone in this endeavor, as several other countries, including Denmark, Spain, France, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, have recently announced similar restrictions aimed at safeguarding minors’ online experiences. Hafid emphasized that the intention behind these regulations is not to restrict internet usage for children but to ensure their online safety. "This regulation does not impose sanctions on children or parents. Instead, sanctions target digital platforms that fail to meet their child protection obligations," she stated. The initiative aims to mitigate risks associated with harmful content, interactions with strangers, child exploitation, and digital addiction. With around 299 million people online in Indonesia, nearly 80% of children are engaged with digital platforms. According to UNICEF data cited by the ministry, about half of the country's children have encountered sexual content on social media, with 42% reporting feelings of fear or discomfort from such experiences. This announcement follows a recent warning issued by the Indonesian government to Meta regarding its inability to effectively tackle issues related to online gambling and misinformation on its platforms.