In 3 Days, 70 Million Indonesians Under 16 Banned from Using Social Media

In three days, children under 16 in Indonesia will be banned from using social media. This is related to Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 or the Tunas Regulation and its derivative Ministerial Regulation Number 9 of 2026, which will take effect on 28 March 2026. Indonesia itself is becoming the first large-scale country to enact such a regulation. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, explained that the number of children aged 16 in the country reaches 70 million children. That figure is far higher compared to Australia, which implemented a similar rule in December, affecting 5.7 million people. “For children aged according to the law, which is 18 years, there are approximately 82 million children. If we lower it to 16 years as per this regulation, there are approximately 70 million children,” said Meutya during the Coordination Meeting on the Implementation of the Tunas Regulation some time ago. In the first phase of implementation, there are eight social media platforms included in the list, starting from YouTube, TikTok, Threads, Bigo Live, X, Instagram, Facebook, and Roblox. X, formerly known as Twitter, has announced that users of its platform must be at least 16 years old. On the X Help Centre page, it is stated that the requirement comes from government regulations to introduce a minimum age for social media use or Social Media Minimum Age (SMMA). “SMMA prevents age-restricted social media platforms, including X, from allowing people under 16 to create or maintain accounts,” explained X. X also stated that details of the implementation will be announced at a later date. In an official statement from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, it is mentioned that X will conduct identification and deactivation of user accounts that do not comply with the provisions starting from 27 March 2026. Previously, YouTube had also spoken out about the regulation. In its statement, the video-sharing platform said it is reviewing the rules to ensure its policies support the platform’s goals, empower parents, and maintain access to learning for millions of Indonesians. “We will continue to engage in constructive communication with the government and remain committed to protecting young people in the digital world, rather than distancing them from it,” said a YouTube representative. TikTok has also spoken out on the matter. According to a TikTok spokesperson, the company is coordinating with the ministry to better understand the provisions set out. The platform side assures cooperation with the Indonesian government. Thus, it can ensure that teenagers can access a safe digital space. “Teen accounts on TikTok have over 50 security, privacy, and safety features automatically enabled to help teenagers express their creativity safely, connect with friends, and learn on the platform,” explained the TikTok spokesperson. “We continue to commit to working with the Indonesian government to ensure teenagers can continue to access a safe online space.”