YouTube Blocks Users Under 16 in Indonesia, Government Reveals Reasons

The Indonesian government has announced a firm step in tightening child protection in the digital space. The world’s largest video platform, YouTube, has officially stated its compliance with national regulations by restricting access for users under 16 years old in Indonesia. This policy was directly announced by the Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, during a press conference at the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) office in Jakarta on Wednesday. The government describes this step as an important part of building a safe digital space for children. According to Meutya, YouTube’s decision is a follow-up to Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on Child Protection in the Organisation of Electronic Systems, known as PP Tunas. This regulation serves as the main foundation for the government in regulating the national digital ecosystem. “The government appreciates that YouTube, under Google, has submitted an official letter of compliance,” said Meutya. The letter has been received by the Directorate General of Digital Space Supervision as proof of the global platform’s commitment. In its implementation, YouTube will adjust its community guidelines to the new policy that prohibits account ownership for users under 16 years old. This policy will be enforced gradually to ensure an effective transition. In addition to the age restriction, YouTube has committed to deactivating accounts identified as belonging to users under 16 years old. This process will not be done all at once, but through stages adjusted to system readiness. Another step taken is the cessation of advertisements specifically targeting children and adolescents. The government assesses that digital advertising practices to date have the potential risk to children’s psychological development. The policy is also stated on YouTube’s help page for users in Indonesia. In its official statement, it is mentioned that accounts belonging to users under 16 years old may be deactivated as part of compliance with national regulations. With this decision, the government assesses that there has been a significant change in the governance of global digital platforms in Indonesia. The country is seen to have an increasingly strong bargaining position in regulating large technology companies. Meutya emphasised that this step is not merely a restriction, but a form of protection. The government wants to ensure that children are not exposed to harmful content or increasingly complex digital exploitation.