Indonesia has begun enforcing nationwide restrictions on social media use for children under 16, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to implement such curbs amid growing concerns over online safety.
The policy requires platforms deemed high risk, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Roblox, to block access for users under 16 by removing or deactivating their accounts.
Authorities said the move, influenced by similar restrictions in Australia, is aimed at tackling risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to pornography, online fraud, and excessive screen use.
Indonesia has around 70 million people under the age of 16, making the issue a significant policy concern.
The new rules do not amount to a blanket ban. Lower-risk platforms may still be accessed by younger users if they adopt stricter safeguards, including enhanced privacy settings, parental controls, and limits on location tracking and profiling.
Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said several companies have already taken steps to comply. TikTok plans to gradually disable accounts belonging to under-16 users, while Roblox is adjusting features for younger audiences. X has said it will raise its minimum user age to 16.
Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said it supports a workable implementation and will continue discussions with the government. It added that it has already placed tens of millions of Indonesian youth into “teen accounts” with enhanced protections.
The government cited findings from a 2023 UN-backed study showing that about half of Indonesian minors had encountered sexual content online and nearly half reported experiencing cyberbullying.
Hafid said compliance is mandatory for all digital platforms operating in the country, warning that failure to meet the new standards could lead to sanctions, including restricted access. Companies are also required to complete child safety self-assessments by June.
While supporters say the rules empower parents to better control children’s internet use, critics, including Amnesty International, argue the measures risk limiting access to communication and self-expression, especially for children in remote areas.
Indonesia’s move comes as countries including Australia, Denmark, Brazil, and Malaysia consider or implement similar restrictions on social media use by minors.