The government of Indonesia has announced plans to ban children under 16 from owning accounts on several social media platforms, citing concerns about the risks they pose to children.

The announcement was made on Friday by Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs, Meutya Viada Hafid, in a post shared on her Instagram page.

According to Ministerial Regulation Number 9 of 2026, issued under the PP TUNAS, an Indonesian government framework aimed at protecting children in the digital space and regulating how online platforms operate, children below 16 will no longer be allowed to create accounts on “high-risk digital platforms.”

According to Ms Hafid, the law will take effect from March 28 and will be implemented in phases across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.

She said the decision was prompted by increasing threats facing children online, including exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud and digital addiction, and noted that the policy is an “important step for the future of children.”

While acknowledging that the new rule might cause discomfort initially, Ms Hafid said the government could not remain silent while watching children face the risks of being online.

“We understand this step may cause concern at the beginning. But the government cannot stay silent when children’s future is at stake,” she said.

Ms Hafid added that responsibility for protecting children online would not only rely on parents but also on digital platforms.

“Technology should humanise people, not sacrifice our children’s childhoods,” she said.

In a separate post, Ms Hafid mentioned that she had a discussion with Australia’s Communication Minister, Anika Wells, to cooperate and work with other countries to ensure online child safety.

This comes after Australia, in December 2025, banned children under 16 from having social media accounts and placed fines on platforms that fail to enforce the restrictions.