Social Media Restrictions for Children: DPR Member Calls it Right Step to Protect Youth

Jakarta – The government has officially restricted social media access for children under the age of 16 years as an effort to strengthen child protection in the digital space.

This policy is outlined in the Ministerial Regulation of Communication and Digital (Permen Komdigi) Number 9 of 2026, which derives from Government Regulation (PP) Number 17 of 2025 concerning the Governance of Electronic Systems in Child Protection (PP TUNAS).

Responding to this development, Gavriel Novanto, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI), welcomed the government’s initiative positively. According to him, this policy represents the right step to protect the younger generation from various risks in the digital space.

“The state cannot allow the digital space to develop without adequate regulation, especially when it concerns child protection. So this is an excellent step and we need to support it together,” Gavriel stated in his written statement in Jakarta on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Gavriel assessed that whilst digital technology development brings many benefits, it also presents serious challenges for child protection.

“Without clear regulation, children are very vulnerable to exposure to content inappropriate for their age, ranging from cyberbullying, digital exploitation, to social media addiction,” he said.

According to Gavriel, children often lack the readiness to face various risks in the rapidly developing digital space. For this reason, he believes the state needs to introduce reasonable restrictions to ensure the digital space remains safe for the younger generation.

He also emphasised that digital platforms must take responsibility in ensuring the digital space is safe for children.

“They should not merely enjoy the size of the Indonesian market, but take seriously ensuring their platforms are safe for children,” he added.

Gavriel further noted that social media restrictions for children must be accompanied by strengthened digital literacy. Guidance from parents and schools, he argued, remains key to ensuring children do not go astray in the digital space.

As a working partner of the government in the field of communication and digital affairs, Commission I of the DPR RI will continue to support policies that strengthen the national digital ecosystem whilst protecting Indonesian children.