Parents respond positively to child social media restrictions under PP Tunas
A number of parents have voiced their support for the restrictions on social media for children recently implemented through Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Protection and Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP Tunas).
It is known that as of 28 March 2026, PP Tunas will take effect, requiring digital platform providers to prevent harmful content, including by limiting social media access for children under 16 years old.
A mother from Bogor, Aisyah (54), said in Jakarta on Sunday that she welcomes the new regulation positively. Based on her experience, social media has significantly altered the lifestyle patterns of young people in her surroundings.
According to her, restricting social media access will help children learn. She likened social media to a knife: in the right hands, like a chef’s, it can produce something good and beneficial, but in the wrong hands, it can be painful for mental and physical health.
“It might seem awkward for children at first, but over time they will get used to life without social media, realising that there are more fun activities than social media,” she said.
Nevertheless, she said that like any regulation, the implementation of PP Tunas must still be monitored to ensure it yields the desired results.
She also admitted to applying controls on social media for her children, such as not allowing them to download apps without her knowledge and permission, limiting screen time, and not permitting gadget use during family meals.
In agreement, a father from South Tangerang, Deni (31), stated that he agrees with the social media access restrictions so that children can socialise and not be absorbed in their own world.
“Like the 90s generation, so they can interact more,” said Deni.
He also admitted to seeing the negative impacts of social media addiction, for example, his friend’s child who always cries when their gadget is taken away.
According to him, the social media restrictions under PP Tunas are appropriate, so that children do not become too technologically inept in the future. Therefore, he also regulates his child’s screen time, allowing access for only 30-45 minutes, and he keeps the gadget at night.
In line with this, Director of Health Services for Vulnerable Groups at the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), Imran Pambudi, assessed that the presence of this regulation is important amid the increasing use of social media and digital platforms by children and adolescents, which in some cases can trigger addictive behaviour, sleep disorders, and mental health issues.
In Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 9 of 2026 as the implementing rule for PP Tunas, it is explained that several applicable sanctions for platforms that do not comply include administrative sanctions such as warning letters, temporary access suspension, and access termination.
This regulation is effective from 28 March 2026, restricting children from high-risk digital platforms, especially for the initial implementation applying to eight digital platforms: YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, Instagram, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.