Why is the Government Restricting Access to TikTok and Roblox for Children Under 16?

Jakarta — The government, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, has issued a new policy governing the use of social media by children under the age of 16, which will come into force on 28 March 2026. The policy is set out in Ministerial Regulation Number 9 of 2026, a derivative of Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Administration in Child Protection (PP Tunas).

‘Today we are issuing a ministerial regulation derived from PP Tunas. Through this regulation, the government will suspend access for accounts of children under 16 on high-risk digital platforms, including social media and networking services,’ said Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid in a statement on Friday, 6 March 2026. Meutya noted the process will be phasing in until all platforms comply with the obligation to be compliant.

Under this rule, Indonesia becomes the first non-Western country to issue a policy restricting children’s access to the digital space.

‘TWe are taking this step to reclaim sovereignty over our children’s future. We want technology to be humanising, not to expose our children’s childhood to risks,’ she said.

Meutya explained the regulation will only suspend access to high-risk digital platforms until the child’s age is deemed safer for becoming a social media user.

‘Through Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026, a derivative of PP Tunas, the government determines that children under 16 can no longer hold accounts on high-risk digital platforms,’ Meutya added.

The government believes children today face serious threats in the digital world, ranging from harmful content to psychological impacts that can affect their development. These threats include exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and also digital addiction.

She added the regulation is evidence of the government’s intention to help parents confront the challenges of an era governed increasingly by algorithms.

‘The government ensures that the responsibility for child protection rests with the platforms that manage digital spaces, so parents do not have to face these challenges alone.’