Lestari Moerdijat: Restricting Social Media Access to Protect the Younger Generation

Indonesia has suspended discussions on the Peace Council. Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Lestari Moerdijat said the government’s policy of delaying access to digital accounts, including social media, for children under 16 is an important step to safeguard the growth and development of Indonesia’s younger generation while maintaining the quality of the nation’s human resource development. She applauded the implementation of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Administrators in Child Protection (PP Tunas), which is seen as a form of the state’s presence in protecting children in the digital space.

“This policy deserves applause, because it shows the state’s presence in protecting Indonesian children in the digital space. Child protection is not only about safety, but also an essential part of the educational process and the formation of the generation’s character,” said the woman known as Rerie in a written statement on Saturday, 7 March.

Earlier, the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) on Friday (6 March) issued a Ministerial Regulation as a derivative rule from PP Tunas that regulates the governance of electronic system administrators in child protection. Through the regulation, the government delays access to accounts for children under 16 on digital platforms categorised as high risk, including social media and digital networking services. The policy will be implemented from 28 March 2026, with deactivation of children’s accounts gradually on platforms deemed high risk.

According to Rerie, the policy should be seen as part of efforts to create a healthy educational and digital literacy ecosystem for Indonesian children.

“As part of the educational process, children need protection from exposure to negative content, disinformation, digital violence, and exploitation practices in the online space that could damage their character formation,” she said.

She added that the digital space has now become one of the main social spaces for children and adolescents. Therefore, its management cannot be detached from the state’s responsibility to safeguard the education process and the formation of the younger generation’s character.

Rerie also emphasised the importance of the family’s role in guiding children in using digital technology.

“Family roles become very important. Parents must be the primary companions for children in learning about and using digital technology in a healthy and responsible way,” she said.

She also noted that increasing public digital literacy must run in parallel with the policy to ensure its effective implementation.

A NasDem Party senior member hopes the policy will strengthen joint efforts to build a generation of young people who are characterful, mentally healthy, and globally competitive.

“Protecting children in the digital space, at heart, is safeguarding the future of the nation. The policy must become part of a joint movement to ensure the process of education and the growth of the next generation proceeds healthily, safely and with dignity,” she concluded.

Meutya Hafif, the Minister of Communications and Digital, said the enactment of this regulation is a concrete step by the state to ensure Indonesian children are protected from various internet risks.

The latest 2026 guide on social media rules for children under 16 explains legal boundaries, privacy risks, and tips for parental guidance.

Lestari Moerdijat said that commitment from all parties is needed to realise better efforts in preventing and addressing mental health issues among children and adolescents.

The growth of the digital world must be balanced with an adequate protection system for every citizen, including women and children, from the threats that accompany it.

The state’s commitment to protecting and fulfilling the rights of every citizen, including persons with disabilities, must be consistently realised with the support of all parties.

Deputy Speaker Lestari Moerdijat underlined the importance of disaster preparedness as a reflection of the Four Pillars of Nationality and social solidarity within the community.

She also stressed the strategic role of the Lembaga Kursus dan Pelatihan (LKP) in raising the quality of the human resource pool.