Social Media Accounts for Children Under 16 to Be Deactivated Starting Tomorrow, PSI: For Healthy Psychological Development

Jakarta, VIVA – The government’s policy to restrict social media use for children under 16 years old, effective from 28 March 2026, has been positively received by the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI). This policy stems from Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP TUNAS), as well as Minister of Communication and Digital Regulation Number 9 of 2026. Under these rules, social media accounts belonging to children under 16 will be deactivated as part of efforts to protect child development. Deputy General Chairman of PSI’s Central Board, Isyana Bagoes Oka, views this step as a crucial policy to maintain children’s psychological health amid the prevalence of negative content in the digital world. “This policy is an important and empathetic step to protect our children’s future. It is a systematic and institutional effort to give children the right to grow up in a psychologically safe environment,” said Isyana on Friday, 27 March 2026. She explained that the pre-teen phase is a critical period in shaping a child’s character and identity. Therefore, exposure to inappropriate content must be limited from an early stage. “During that time, limiting unhealthy exposure such as sexual or violent content, cyberbullying, will help children grow healthier,” stated Isyana. According to her, without the presence of social media, children will have more space to build direct social interactions with their surroundings. “In the real environment, they can forge empathy and hone social skills,” she said. PSI believes this policy is an initial step to protect children from age-inappropriate content and prevent gadget addiction. “President Prabowo Subianto’s administration is here to protect Indonesian children. Families and schools help. Social media can wait, children’s future cannot. Remember TUNAS or wait until the child is ready. This is all to achieve the Golden Generation 2045,” she added.