70 Million Indonesians Face Internet Restrictions, Roblox Undergoes Major Changes

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The gaming platform Roblox is beginning to implement new rules in response to regulations in Indonesia. The company will add controls on content and communication specifically for users under the age of 16.

Roblox’s Chief Safety Officer, Matt Kaufman, stated that this policy is being prepared to comply with the applicable rules in Indonesia.

“This week, we announced that to meet regional requirements in Indonesia, we will soon introduce additional controls on content and communication for players under 16 in Indonesia,” he said, quoted from Reuters, Wednesday (25/3/2026).

However, Roblox has not yet disclosed in detail the form of additional restrictions that will be applied.

Roblox’s step is inseparable from the Indonesian government’s firm policy. The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) requires digital platforms to deactivate social media accounts categorised as high-risk for users under 16 years old.

Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid emphasised that the regulation will take effect on 28 March 2026.

Several major platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X fall into the high-risk category affected by this policy.

In addition to Roblox, X has also confirmed it will immediately restrict the minimum user age in Indonesia to 16 starting 28 March.

In its official statement, X stated, “The minimum age requirement in Indonesia prevents social media platforms with age restrictions, including X, from allowing people under 16 to create or maintain accounts. This is not our choice; it is an obligation based on Indonesian law.”

Several countries, including Australia, have also implemented social media restrictions for children amid growing concerns about the safety and mental health of underage users.

Minister of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) Meutya Hafid explained that the number of children aged 16 in the country reaches 70 million children. This figure is far higher compared to Australia, which implemented similar rules last December, numbering 5.7 million people.

“For children aged according to the law, which is 18 years, there are approximately 82 million children. Then if we lower it to 16 years according to this regulation, there are approximately 70 million children,” Meutya said during the Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of PP Tunas some time ago.