YouTube introduces child protection features to support PP Tunas
Jakarta (ANTARA) - YouTube has introduced various features to protect children and adolescents in the digital space in line with the implementation of Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on the Governance of Electronic System Operators in Child Protection (PP Tunas).
“This approach provides incentives for the creation of integrated protection features and age-appropriate digital experiences for young people, rather than imposing comprehensive bans,” said YouTube Indonesia in an official statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
YouTube has introduced a number of protection features that position parents as the primary controllers of children’s digital activities. One of them is the viewing duration setting for YouTube Shorts, which allows parents to limit watching time to zero.
In addition, YouTube has introduced artificial intelligence (AI)-based age verification technology to ensure users receive experiences appropriate to their age groups. This age inference technology will be launched well before the PP Tunas implementation deadline in March 2027.
YouTube has also equipped its platform with built-in protection features such as reminders to take a break, restrictions on notifications starting at 10pm, and the disabling of autoplay features specifically for users under 18 years old.
According to YouTube Indonesia, a comprehensive ban on accounts for users under 16 would instead cause young users accessing YouTube to lose various protections, parental controls, and integrated safety features in supervised accounts.
YouTube emphasises that child protection in the digital space requires a comprehensive approach, not only through restrictions but also by strengthening digital literacy and wellbeing.
In addition, the platform has developed digital wellbeing guidelines in collaboration with the Indonesian Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (PDSKJI), Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), and the University of Indonesia, and runs the Youth Champions programme to train young advocates to lead peer-to-peer security dialogues to build comprehensive digital resilience.
Looking ahead, YouTube Indonesia urges the government to continue involving various stakeholders in developing adaptive, risk-based policies.
YouTube also expresses its readiness to participate in the implementation of PP Tunas through self-assessment mechanisms to ensure that child protection and digital safety standards remain upheld.