Under-16s' Social Media Accounts to Be Deactivated from 28 March 2026

The Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) has banned children under 16 from having accounts on a number of social media and high-risk digital platforms. Minister Meutya Hafid said the policy would begin on 28 March 2026. In the initial phase, accounts for under-16s will be deactivated on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

“The process will be implemented gradually until all platforms comply with their obligations,” Meutya said in an official Komdigi statement on Friday, 6 March 2026. The Deputy Chairman of Golkar Party said the ban on access will take effect after the issuance of downstream regulations from Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Providers in Child Protection (PP Tunas), today. The downstream regulations are claimed to strengthen child protection in the digital space.

“Through this regulation, the government delays access to accounts of children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,” he said. He claimed this policy makes Indonesia one of the first non-Western countries to impose age-based restrictions on child access to digital platforms. He said the policy is intended to protect children from digital threats. “Children face real threats, ranging from pornography exposure, cyberbullying, online scams, to addiction,” he said. Meutya acknowledged the policy will cause discomfort for children and parents; however, she believes it is an important step amid the digital emergency.