Pramono Supports Regulations Restricting Children's Social Media Use: Many are Addicted to Gadgets

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has expressed his full support for a Ministerial Regulation that establishes restrictions on social media usage for children under 16 years of age. Pramono believes that the regulation, designed by the Ministry of Communication and Digital, aims to protect children from digital hazards.

“I will provide full support and backing. Because in my view, this ministerial regulation is sound,” said Pramono at Jakarta City Hall on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Pramono hopes that the implementation of the regulation will proceed smoothly. He highlighted the numerous cases of underage children who are currently addicted to gadgets or smartphones and social media platforms.

“Although implementation in the field may not reach 100 per cent initially, since for some children this has already become part of their culture,” he stated.

“However, with these restrictions, I am confident it will bring benefits, particularly for the children themselves. Because nowadays, many children are genuinely addicted to gadgets,” Pramono added.

Previously, the government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), officially issued Ministerial Regulation Number 9 of 2026 as the implementing regulation for Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP Tunas).

This derivative regulation formally stipulates restrictions on children under 16 years of age using digital platforms, including social media. Through this Ministerial Regulation, the government has established a phased implementation approach for child protection policies on digital platforms.

The implementation phase will commence on 28 March 2026 with measures to deactivate accounts of children under 16 years of age on high-risk digital platforms in accordance with applicable provisions.