Indonesia begins social media ban for children under 16
The sweeping regulation affects 70 million children and platforms like Roblox and Bigo Live.
Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to implement a sweeping ban on social media access for children under the age of 16. The new government regulation, which began its phased implementation, prohibits minors from having accounts on major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and the gaming platform Roblox. The move aims to shield an estimated 70 million Indonesian children—in a nation of 280 million people—from exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and digital addiction.
Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced that the government has instructed all digital platforms operating in Indonesia to bring their products and services into immediate compliance. She emphasized there would be 'no compromise,' requiring every business entity to follow Indonesian law. This landmark decision follows similar measures taken by Australia last year, positioning Indonesia as part of a growing global push to reclaim family and regulatory power from tech giants and prioritize child safety in digital spaces.
- First Southeast Asian country to enact a social media ban for users under 16 years old.
- Targets 70 million children and major platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Roblox.
- Government mandates full compliance from all digital platforms with 'no compromise' on the new law.
Why It Matters
Sets a major regulatory precedent in a region with massive digital populations, forcing global tech platforms to adapt or risk access.