Komdigi to Restrict Under-16s' Access to Social Media From 28 March 2026

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) will limit social media access for children under 16 from 28 March 2026. The policy is part of the government’s effort to strengthen protection for children in the digital space. The regulation is set out in Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026 by the Ministry of Communications and Digital, derived from Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of the Administration of Electronic Systems in Child Protection, also known as PP Tunas. Under the policy, access for accounts of children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms will be delayed, starting with social media and networking services. With this policy, Indonesia becomes the first non-Western country to apply age-based access delays to high-risk digital platforms. The government believes children today face a range of threats in an increasingly complex digital world. Exposure to harmful content and risks of technology addiction are major concerns. “The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight the algorithm giants alone,” Meutya said. Furthermore, addiction to social media is also an increasingly prevalent issue among children and adolescents. This condition is seen as capable of affecting mental and social development, as well as the health of children. Therefore, the government sees the need for a stricter policy to regulate access of children to high-risk platforms. “Accounts of children under 16 on high-risk platforms will be deactivated, starting with YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox,” Meutya explained.