Supporting Restrictions on Children's Social Media Use, PSI: To Protect Growth Space and Psychological Well-being
Government Regulation Number 117 of 2025, commonly referred to as PP Tunas, will be implemented starting from 28 March 2026. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has also issued Minister Regulation No. 9/2026 as technical guidelines for the regulation.
The regulation is designed to realise a safe digital space and address the negative influences of the digital realm, such as inappropriate content, digital addiction, and the exploitation of children’s data.
The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) has positively welcomed the policy. “This policy is an important and empathetic step to protect our children’s future. It is a systematic and institutionalised effort to grant children the right to grow up in a psychologically safe environment,” stated Deputy General Chairman of the PSI Central Executive Board, Isyana Bagoes Oka, on Friday (27/3).
Currently, there are approximately 70 million children in Indonesia aged under 16. This number is significantly larger than in Australia, which implemented a similar policy last December with around 5.7 million children. Isyana added that the pre-adolescent phase is a crucial period for forming an individual’s identity.
“During this period, limiting exposure to unhealthy content such as sexual material or violence, and cyberbullying, will help children grow up healthier,” Isyana continued.
By not using social media, children have greater opportunities to interact directly with family and peers.
“In the real environment, they can forge empathy and hone social skills,” said this Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development.
She is optimistic that this policy will serve as an initial fortress to keep children away from content unsuitable for their emotional maturity and prevent gadget addiction in children.
“The Prabowo Subianto administration is present to protect Indonesian children. Families and schools assist. Social media can wait; children’s futures cannot. This is all to achieve the Golden Generation of 2045,” she concluded.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KpAI) has urged mass media, particularly broadcasting institutions, to actively monitor the implementation of PP Tunas.
Entering the ages of 13-15, children’s emotions have indeed developed more strongly, but their self-control is not yet mature.
The Indonesian Paediatricians Association (IDAI) has reminded of the dangers of social media for children, from addiction to cyberbullying. Parents are urged to actively supervise digital use.
The biggest challenge does not lie in technical capabilities, but in the willingness of platforms to comply and the accuracy of systems in the local context.
Amelia also highlighted crucial aspects that must be clarified, from age verification methods, involvement of third parties, personal data protection, to complaint mechanisms and sanctions.