PKB backs ban on under-16s owning social media accounts
A member of the House of Representatives’ Commission I, Abdul Halim Iskandar, has backed the policy of the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) which will restrict the age at which children can access digital platforms from 28 March 2026. Komdigi will prohibit children under 16 from owning accounts on a number of social media and digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
According to Abdul Halim, the regulation is a concrete step by the government to protect children from exposure to digital spaces that could negatively impact their growth and development, such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and exploitation.
“The government’s move deserves our support as part of the state’s responsibility to ensure a safer digital space for children and adolescents,” the PKB politician said in a written statement on Friday, 6 March 2026.
The elder brother of PKB’s General Chairman Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar hopes the policy can act as a catalyst for Indonesia to build a safer digital ecosystem that prioritises the protection of the younger generation.
Halim warned that this regulation should not be merely a regulation on paper without concrete on-the-ground implementation. He urged the government to devise a clear, measurable, and effectively auditable implementation mechanism.
“Regulations are important, but digital literacy of the public must also be strengthened. Without that, children remain vulnerable even with the rules in place,” he said.
Halim also noted that the success of the policy depends on the cooperation and compliance of the government, digital platforms, parents and educational institutions. He added that platforms must also be made responsible. Parents should be empowered through digital literacy, and schools should participate in educating about healthy internet use.
He rightly urged the government to bolster this policy with a more robust national digital literacy strategy, including practical guides for families to support their children in using technology.
“Regulation is important, but public digital literacy must also be strengthened,” he added.
Minister of Communications and Digital Meutya Hafid said the policy would begin on 28 March 2026. In the initial phase, under-16 accounts on digital platforms will be gradually deactivated.
The Deputy Chairman of Golkar claimed this policy makes Indonesia one of the first non-Western countries to implement age-based restrictions on children’s access to digital platforms.
“Through this regulation, the government delays access for under-16s on high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,” Meutya stated in the official Komdigi release on Friday, 6 March 2026.
She believes the policy will protect children from digital threats such as exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction. Meutya noted that the deactivation process will be carried out gradually until all platforms comply with the obligations set out in the regulation.
Meutya acknowledged that the policy would cause discomfort for children and parents. However, she believes it is an important step amid the digital emergency.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to this article.