Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16, its communication and digital affairs minister, Meutya Hafid, announced on Friday. The regulation will prohibit minors from having accounts on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox and Bigo Live.
The ban will be implemented gradually from 28 March, giving platforms time to comply. Hafid cited threats such as pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud and addiction as the basis for the move, saying the government wants to help parents ‘fight against the giant of algorithms’.
Some parents in Jakarta welcomed the restrictions. Marianah, 43, said social media can be misleading for children, while Harianto, 49, urged the government also to block pornography and online gambling sites.
Earlier this week, the ministry inspected Meta’s Jakarta office over concerns about harmful content on its platforms. It issued a stern warning about Meta’s low compliance with national regulations. Neither TikTok nor Meta immediately responded to requests for comment.
Indonesia becomes the first south-east Asian country to restrict children’s social media access, following Australia’s lead in December 2025. Other countries, including Spain, France and the UK, are also considering similar measures.
