Social Media Restrictions Protect Children from Digital Threats
The policy of restricting social media access for children through Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2026 is considered an important step in protecting children from various risks in the digital space. The regulation emphasises the need for age restrictions in the use of digital platforms, in line with the increasing exposure of children to technology.
Professor of Psychology at the University of Indonesia, Rose Mini Agoes Salim, stated that this restriction is not merely an effort to limit access, but a form of protection for children who are psychologically not yet ready to face the complexities of social media.
“Social media is not just a place for interaction, but also a space full of risks. Children do not yet have the ability to filter information, understand others’ intentions, or control their emotional responses,” she said when contacted on Friday (27/3).
According to her, without clear regulations, children are potentially exposed to various negative impacts of social media, ranging from age-inappropriate content, digital addiction, to threats of bullying and online predators. This situation is exacerbated by children’s tendency to be easily trusting and not yet able to assess risks maturely.
Rose Mini explained that age categorisation is key in implementing this policy. She divided the stages of social media use based on child development.
For ages 0–6 years, children should not have independent access to social media. The use of digital devices should only be limited and with full parental supervision.
Entering ages 7–12 years, children begin to get to know the digital world, but access to general social media still needs to be strictly limited. At this stage, instilling basic digital literacy and values becomes the top priority.
Meanwhile, for ages 13–15 years, children can start to be given limited access with active supervision. Education on privacy, digital ethics, and potential risks is crucial because children’s self-control is not yet fully developed.
For ages 16–18 years, teenagers are considered to have better cognitive and emotional readiness. Nevertheless, supervision is still needed to ensure they can be responsible for their digital activities.
She emphasised that the success of this policy does not only depend on regulation, but also on the role of parents and the environment. Open communication and the presence of parents in children’s digital lives become the main factors in preventing risks.
“The important thing is not just about age limits, but children’s readiness. Children who feel safe will be more open, and that becomes the strongest protection,” she concluded.
The government will officially restrict social media access for children under 16 years old starting 28 March 2026. This policy impacts around 70 million children in Indonesia.
Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, expressed support for the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs regarding the regulation restricting social media access for children under 16 years old.
Deputy Chair of the People’s Consultative Assembly, Lestari Moerdijat, assessed that the government’s policy to delay digital account access, including social media, for children under 16 years old is an important step.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs will delete social media accounts of children under 16 years old starting 28 March 2026. Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), Bigo Live, and Roblox must block accounts belonging to children under 16 years old.
French President Emmanuel Macron supports Indonesia’s new regulation limiting social media for children under 16 years old. See the list of platforms that will be deactivated starting 28 March 2026.