DPR Commission X backs social media restrictions for children's safety and mental health

Chair of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Hetifah Sjaifudian, has backed Ministerial Regulation Permenkomdigi No. 9 of 2026 concerning restrictions on access to social media for children under 16. The regulation is seen as a concrete step by the government to protect children and create a safer digital space for the younger generation. One key point of the policy is the temporary suspension of account access for children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms such as social media and networking services. ‘The digital space should be a space for learning and development for our children, not a space that endangers their safety and mental health. Therefore, the government’s move through Permen Komdigi deserves our support as an effort to protect the younger generation,’ Hetifah told reporters on Sunday, 8 March 2026. Hetifah noted that the policy is relevant to the challenges faced by children and students in the digital era, where risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and online fraud are increasing. As a partner with the government in education, Commission X DPR regards protection of children in the digital space as an important part of the modern education ecosystem. Hetifah said students today are very close to technology and social media, so protective rules must go hand in hand with strengthened digital literacy. ‘Protection of children in the digital space is not enough with regulation alone. We also need to strengthen digital literacy in schools so that students can use technology wisely, safely, and responsibly,’ he explained. Hetifah believes collaboration among government, schools, parents, and digital platform operators is essential for the policy to work effectively. The Golkar politician hopes the policy can become a momentum to build a healthier digital ecosystem for Indonesian children. ‘Digital transformation must go hand in hand with protection of children. We want technology to be a tool for learning and creativity for students, while ensuring they grow up in a safe digital environment,’ Hetifah concluded. Komdigi has officially delayed access for children under 16 to a number of high-risk digital platforms. The policy has, alongside, issued derivative regulations from Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Providers in Child Protection, known as PP Tunas. Minister for Communications and Information Technology Meutya Hafid said the derivative rules began to be issued today as a move to strengthen child protection in the digital space. ‘Today we issue a Ministerial Regulation as a derivative of PP Tunas. Through this regulation, the government delays access of accounts for children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,’ Meutya said in a statement, Friday (6/3).