TikTok and Instagram Classified as High-Risk Applications in Indonesia, Here's Why

Jakarta — Eight applications, including TikTok and Instagram, have been classified in the initial implementation phase of regulations restricting social media use for children under 16 years old. All of these applications fall into the high-risk category and must implement the regulations starting from 28 March 2026.

Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid explained that other platforms would be evaluated in subsequent phases, adjusting to the indicators established in Communications and Digital Ministerial Regulation Number 9 of 2026 regarding the Implementation Regulations of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Operations in Child Protection (Permen No 9/2026).

“In the next phases, we will also evaluate other electronic system operators based on risk indicators in accordance with Permen,” she explained during an Implementation Coordination Meeting on the Tunas Government Regulation on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

One of the risk indicators in Permen is the platform’s ability to contact unknown persons. Additionally, there is potential exposure to harmful content, potential exploitation of children as consumers in the digital ecosystem, and the security and protection of children’s personal data.

There is also the potential to cause addiction. According to her, these indicators have been widely used by other countries.

“Meaning, even if the content itself is not wrong but there is addiction, and the algorithm creates high addiction, then it automatically falls into the high-risk category,” explained Meutya.

Another indicator is the risk of psychological health disturbances. Meutya stated that if any one of these indicators is found, it automatically enters the high-risk category.

“So if any one of these indicators is found, then automatically that factor is classified as high-risk with an age restriction for under 16 years old,” said Meutya.