Indonesia Implements Social Media Account Restrictions for Under-16s from 28 March 2026, YouTube Issues Statement

Indonesia has officially implemented a ban preventing children under 16 years of age from accessing numerous high-risk digital platforms from the end of this month. YouTube, which is among the platforms subject to the initial implementation phase, has issued a statement regarding the new regulation.

A YouTube representative explained that the platform is currently reviewing the regulation to ensure the policy supports its objectives, empowers parents, and maintains access to learning resources for millions of Indonesians. “YouTube is a high-quality video-sharing platform that has invested for more than a decade in child safety measures. We are reviewing this new regulation to ensure that the policy supports our objectives, empowers parents, and maintains access to learning for millions of Indonesians,” the YouTube representative told CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

The platform continues communicating with the Indonesian government. YouTube assured that it remains committed to protecting young people in the digital world. “We will continue constructive communication with the government and remain committed to protecting young people in the digital world, rather than distancing them from it,” the representative said.

Other platforms included in the initial implementation phase are TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Bigo Live and Roblox.

The regulation restricting children’s access to social media comes into effect in Indonesia from 28 March 2026. The regulation is set out in the Ministry of Communication and Digital Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 9 of 2026 on the Governance of Electronic System Operations in Child Protection, which derives from Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas).

Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid explained that the new regulation was introduced due to escalating threats to children online, including exposure to pornographic content, cyberbullying, online fraud, and digital platform addiction.

Implementation will proceed in phases, with all digital platforms required to comply with the regulation. The government acknowledges the policy may cause initial inconvenience during implementation, but considers it necessary to protect children amid the current digital emergency.

“We believe this is the best step the government must take amid the digital emergency,” said the minister.