28 March 2026: Government to Start Deactivating Under-16s' Social Media Accounts

JAKARTA — The government, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, is implementing a policy to restrict access to social media for children under 16, starting 28 March 2026.

Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said the initial phase of implementation will be carried out by deactivating accounts of users identified as under 16 on a number of high-risk digital platforms.

‘The implementation phase will commence on 28 March 2026 with steps to deactivate accounts of children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms in accordance with applicable provisions,’ Meutya Hafid said in a statement, quoted on Sunday (8/3/2026).

Some platforms included in this category are YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

Meutya acknowledged that implementing this policy requires adjustments from various parties, including platform operators and the public. However, she said the step is an important government effort to create a safer digital space for children. She regards this policy as placing Indonesia among the countries taking decisive steps to protect children in the digital era. ‘We should be proud, because Indonesia is one of the non-Western pioneer countries taking firm steps in protecting children in the digital space. We take this step to ensure our children’s future grows healthy in the era of technology.’

The policy is supported by Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026, which implements Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of the Electronic System Administration in Child Protection (PP TUNAS). This regulation provides the technical guidelines for digital platforms in fulfilling child-protection obligations in the digital space.

Meutya stressed that issuing this regulation is a concrete step by the state to protect Indonesian children from various internet risks. ‘Our children face increasingly real threats, such as exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, and online scams. The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight the power of algorithms alone.’

Through this policy, the government hopes Indonesia’s digital space can become a safer, healthier, and more responsible environment for the younger generation, while ensuring digital transformation proceeds in line with child protection.