Widespread Harmful Content: PPPA Minister Backs Restrictions on Social Media for Children

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) welcomed the issuance of the Ministerial Regulation of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) No. 9 of 2026 to strengthen protections for children in the digital space. Minister Arifah Fauzi said the state must act to protect the nation’s children as dangerous content has proliferated in the digital space. “The state must be present to mitigate the various risks faced by children in the digital space, such as exposure to dangerous content, cyberbullying, and exploitation through digital platforms,” Arifah said in a press statement received on Saturday, 7 March 2026.

According to Arifah, this policy must be accompanied by strengthening digital literacy and the role of families in guiding children when they engage in digital activities. “Many parents still lack adequate digital literacy and skills. Therefore, strengthening parents’ capacity to accompany children is very important,” she said.

Arifah warned that restricting access to certain platforms could push children to seek other unsafe methods, such as using VPNs or unmonitored channels. The Minister emphasised that child protection in the digital space requires involvement of families, schools, communities, and various institutions. “Positive parenting in the digital era is the key so that children can use technology safely, healthily, and responsibly,” Arifah said.

Previously, the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Kemkomdigi) issued the policy Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026 which is a derivative of Government Regulation (PP) No. 17 of 2025 on the Governance of the Administration of Electronic System in Child Protection (PP Tunas). “Today we issue a ministerial regulation derivative from PP Tunas. Through this regulation, the government will suspend access for accounts of children under 16 on high-risk platforms, including social media and networking services,” said Minister of Communications and Digital Meutya Hafid in her statement on Friday, 6 March 2026. “The implementation phase begins on 28 March 2026, with accounts of children under 16 on high-risk platforms starting to be deactivated,” she added. High-risk platforms to be deactivated include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.