Government Urged to Ensure Readiness for Implementation of Social Media Restrictions for Children
Jakarta – Amelia Anggaraini, a member of Commission I of the House of Representatives, has urged the government to ensure readiness for the implementation of restrictions on social media usage for children.
According to her, the government should not stop after issuing the Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs No. 9 of 2026.
“What is far more important is to ensure implementation readiness in the field: how age verification mechanisms are carried out, how children’s data protection is safeguarded, and how platforms are required to comply fairly and measurably,” Amelia stated in a written statement on Monday, 9 March 2026.
She said the policy should not be interpreted merely as an attempt to limit digital access for children. The primary objective of the policy from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is to organise the digital space to be safer for child development.
“For me, this should not be read as simply closing digital access, but rather as an effort to organise the digital space to be safer for child development,” Amelia said.
Countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and Singapore have already implemented regulations requiring digital platforms to protect minors.
“Many countries are moving in the same direction. They differ in their models, but the common thread is one: child protection in the digital space cannot be left as purely a private matter,” Amelia said.
“Technology should support education, creativity, and the future of Indonesian children, not sacrifice their mental health, safety, and social development,” she added.
The government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, previously issued a new policy regarding social media usage for children under 16 years old. The regulation is set out in the Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs No. 9 of 2026, which derives from Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Administration in Child Protection.
In the initial phase, eight platforms have had their access restricted for children: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.