GP Ansor says Komdigi policy is purely aimed at protecting children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Central Leadership of the GP Ansor Youth Movement supports the steps taken by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) to prohibit ownership of social media accounts and digital platforms by children under the age of 16.

Ahmad Luthfi, head of the GP Ansor Central Leadership’s Digital Department, said the policy, which will be implemented in stages from 28 March 2026, is not a form of tech restriction but a purely protective measure for children’s futures.

‘Membiarkan anak-anak di bawah umur berselancar sendirian di platform seperti YouTube, TikTok, hingga Roblox, sama halnya dengan melepas mereka di tengah jalan tol tanpa sabuk pengaman,’ translated as: ‘Allowing minors to wander alone on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Roblox is akin to releasing them onto a toll road without a seat belt,’ Luthfi told reporters in Jakarta on Saturday.

Luthfi praised the courage of Minister of Communications and Digital Meutya Hafid for positioning Indonesia as a pioneer. He said the move demonstrates Indonesia’s digital sovereignty in the eyes of the world.

Regarding potential protests, PP GP Ansor acknowledges that the transition will cause discomfort, particularly for parents accustomed to using devices as ‘digital guardians’. However, Luthfi emphasised that this discomfort is a normal detox process for long-term mental health.

Therefore, PP GP Ansor urges all elements of society, from digital platforms to parents and educational institutions, to collaborate to ensure the successful implementation of the rule.

Earlier, the Ministry of Communications and Digital on Friday issued Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026, which governs restrictions on access for children under 16 to digital platforms.

According to the implementing rules of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Management in Child Protection (PP Tunas), children under 16 are not allowed to own accounts on high-risk digital platforms.

Under this regulation, accounts owned by children under 16 on high-risk platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Thread, X, BIGOLIVE, and Roblox will be deactivated.