Puan Supports Communications Ministry Restrictions on Children's Social Media Use: Current Situation Has Gone Too Far

House Speaker Puan Maharani has expressed support for the Communications and Digital Ministry (Komdigi) implementing restrictions on social media access for children under 16 years of age. Puan stated that similar restrictions have been adopted by other countries.

“Through the relevant parliamentary commission, the House of Representatives supports what the ministry has already done to restrict social media for children currently aged 16 and above. Of course, we also hope that in the future we can expand these restrictions to other age groups, as other countries have already done,” said Puan following a House plenary session at Nusantara II Building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

Puan assessed that children’s use of social media has become excessive. She noted that social media content influences children’s behaviour.

“Because the current freedom of social media usage has gone too far, it is certainly not good for children. This matter also needs to be re-evaluated,” she said.

Previously, Komdigi had postponed access for children under 16 years old to several high-risk digital platforms. The policy followed the issuance of implementing regulations from Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 regarding the governance of electronic system operators in child protection, known as the PP Tunas.

“Today we are issuing a ministerial regulation as an implementation of PP Tunas. Through this regulation, the government is delaying account access for children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,” said Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid in a statement on Friday (6 March).