What is PP Tunas? Understanding the Regulation That Makes Indonesia a Pioneer in Digital Child Protection

In the midst of rapid technological transformation, Indonesia has formally positioned itself as a global leader in protecting children in the cyber realm. Through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Administration in Child Protection, or commonly known as PP Tunas, the country now stands as a shield for the younger generation.

Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs (Menkomomdigi) Meutya Hafid emphasised that PP Tunas is the answer to the so-called “digital emergency” that has haunted Indonesian parents. The regulation does not merely regulate user behaviour; it explicitly places legal responsibility on digital platform providers.

PP Tunas is a legal umbrella designed to create a digital ecosystem that is safe, healthy, and friendly to children. Unlike previous regulations that were advisory in nature, PP Tunas obliges Electronic System Providers (PSE) to integrate child-protection features directly into their systems.

The main focus of the rule includes:

• Indonesia becoming the second country in the world after Australia to implement a strict age limit (16 years) for access to social media. The move is considered revolutionary as it dares to delay young people’s access to high-risk platforms in order to protect cognitive development and mental health.

• Menkomdigi Meutya Hafid stated that this policy is a long-term investment. “We do not want our children growing up in the clutches of algorithms that damage the mind. PP Tunas is how we ensure that technology humanises people, rather than the other way around,” she said.

With full implementation scheduled for 28 March 2026, the government hopes to significantly reduce cyberbullying, exposure to pornography, and digital addiction among children. PP Tunas stands as evidence that in the digital economy, Indonesia’s child safety cannot be negotiable.

Meutya Hafid announced that eight platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Roblox, and others) will be prohibited for children under 16 by 2026. For the full rationale behind the digital emergency, please read further.

• Meutya Hafid has officially implemented PP Tunas. Children under 16 are prohibited from accessing high-risk platforms to prevent addiction and sexual content.

• The Ministry of Health emphasised that PP Tunas (PP 17/2025) marks a turning point for child protection in the digital world. See the 16-year age rule for high-risk social media platforms.

• The Ministry of Communications provided that under PP TUNAS, children under 16 are legally barred from owning accounts on high-risk digital platforms such as social media.