Indonesia's Move to Restrict Social Media for Children Under 16 Gains Global Leaders' Attention
Indonesia’s government through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has issued regulations prohibiting children under 16 years of age from holding social media accounts, a move that has attracted the attention of world leaders.
The policy is regulated by Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic System Operators in Child Protection, known as PP Tunas. Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid stated that this derivative regulation represents a step to strengthen child protection in digital spaces.
“We have issued a Ministerial Regulation as a derivative of PP Tunas. Through this regulation, the government delays access to social media accounts for children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,” said Meutya in a statement on Friday (6 March).
The policy has received praise. Restricting social media use for minors is viewed as the government’s serious response to increasingly prevalent digital security concerns, ranging from online fraud to digital platform misuse.
Viewed as a Maximum Protection Step
Farah Puteri Nahlia, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives, supports restricting social media access for children under 16. The PAN legislator stated that the policy adopted by Komdigi is a progressive step.
“This policy is not intended to distance children from technological progress at all. On the contrary, we want to ensure they enter the digital world at the right age and with maximum protection,” Farah told reporters on Saturday (6 March 2026).
This protection measure is realised through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 (PP Tunas). The regulation requires digital platforms to filter harmful content, provide responsive reporting mechanisms, and implement strict age verification.
PP Tunas also prohibits the commercialisation and profiling of child data, accompanied by strict sanctions for violators. Farah views the policy as evidence that the state is taking action regarding children’s digital rights.
“The emergence of PP Tunas is concrete proof that the state is not standing idle on child digital rights, because this regulation concretely forces platforms to provide clear protection restrictions. We need to support this policy so that children have a truly safe and healthy digital space for their development,” said Farah.
For the Sake of Safety and Mental Health
Hetifah Sjaifudian, Chair of Commission X of the House of Representatives, supports Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026 concerning restrictions on social media access for children under 16. Hetifah views the regulation as being for children’s mental health.
“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 step through this Ministerial Regulation deserves our support as an effort to protect young people,” Hetifah told reporters on Sunday (8 March 2026).
She views the policy as relevant to the challenges faced by children and students in the current digital era, where various risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and online fraud are increasing.
As a government partner in education, Commission X of the House views child protection in digital spaces as an important part of the modern education ecosystem. Hetifah notes that today’s students are very close to technology and social media, so protection rules should proceed in line with strengthening digital literacy.
“Child protection in digital spaces is not enough with regulation alone. We also need to strengthen digital literacy in schools so students can use technology wisely, safely, and responsibly,” she explained.
Hetifah emphasises that collaboration between government, schools, parents, and digital platform operators is essential for this policy to be implemented effectively. The Golkar politician hopes the policy will become a momentum for building a healthier digital ecosystem for Indonesian children.
“Digital transformation must proceed alongside child protection. We want technology to be a means of learning and creativity for students, whilst ensuring they grow in a safe digital environment,” Hetifah concluded.
Praised by French President
The policy has been praised by French President Emmanuel Macron. Through his X social media account, Macron responded to a post from news agency AFP reporting on the regulation prohibiting social media use for children under 16 in Indonesia.
Macron thanked Indonesia for joining the movement to protect young people from digital dangers.
“Thanks for joining the movement,” Macron wrote on his X account on Friday (6 March 2026).
France has approved a draft law prohibiting digital platform use for children under 15 years of age. Macron has been a principal supporter in pushing for the enactment of this regulation. The draft law was ultimately approved by the French National Assembly on 27 January 2026.
France is also the second country to implement social media restrictions for children. Australia previously enacted a regulation prohibiting digital platform use for children under 15 years of age.
Notes from House Members
Farah, a member of Commission I of the House of Representatives, reminded that regulations and systemic instruments will not work optimally without being balanced by continuous education. Therefore, she encouraged Komdigi to intensify digital literacy programmes massively, making parents a primary target.
“This literacy approach is very important so that social media restrictions are not understood by children as an authoritarian prohibition, but accompanied by dialogue space and educational support from the family environment,” said Farah.
“This regulation is not merely the task of one ministry, but our shared responsibility to ensure Indonesian children grow healthy and safe in the digital environment.”