Social Media Restrictions Expected to Extend Beyond Under-16s, Says House Speaker

JAKARTA — The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, has expressed hope that social media restrictions will not be limited solely to children under 16 years of age.

Maharani voiced support for the issuance of the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation Number 9 of 2026, which restricts social media access for children under 16 years old.

“Currently it is only for age 16, but naturally going forward we hope it can also be restricted for other age groups because this has already been implemented by other countries,” Maharani said at Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March 2026).

However, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician observed that there is currently excessive freedom in digital spaces.

“The House of Representatives supports what has been implemented by relevant ministries to restrict social media for children,” Maharani said.

“Because currently the excessive freedom of social media is certainly not good for children, so this matter must be re-evaluated,” she added.

According to her, the regulation is part of the state’s effort to protect children in digital spaces.

“Children should not be made objects of algorithmic exploitation, advertising commodities, or targets of digital addiction. Platforms must provide safe designs, not simply shift all risks to parents,” said a statement from the Ministry representative on Monday (9 March 2026).

She stated that the policy should not be interpreted merely as an attempt to limit children’s digital access.

The primary objective of the Digital Communication Ministry’s policy is to create a digital environment that is safer for children’s growth and development.

“For me, this must be understood not merely as closing off digital access, but as an effort to create a digital space that is safer for children’s development,” the statement said.