The Indonesian government is planning to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms as part of new measures aimed at improving online safety. The proposal is being prepared by the country’s communications and digital affairs ministry and is expected to introduce stricter rules for how young users access digital platforms.
Officials say the move is intended to reduce the risks children face online, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content and excessive time spent on social media.
Govt targets social media use by minors
Under the proposed regulation, children younger than 16 would not be allowed to create or maintain accounts on several major social media platforms. The restriction is expected to apply mainly to platforms that allow public interaction, content sharing and communication with unknown users.
Authorities believe such platforms may expose children to higher risks compared with messaging or educational services.
Indonesia has seen rapid growth in internet usage among young people in recent years. With smartphones and social media becoming more accessible, many teenagers and children now spend several hours online each day.
Government officials say the new rule aims to address concerns about how social media may affect children’s mental health, behaviour and safety.
Age verification systems required
To enforce the proposed rule, the government may require social media companies to introduce stronger age-verification systems. Platforms could be asked to check users’ ages more carefully before allowing them to create accounts.
If the policy is implemented, accounts belonging to users under 16 may need to be removed or restricted. Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact methods that platforms will need to use for verifying ages.
Officials also said the government plans to work with technology companies and internet service providers to ensure the regulation can be enforced effectively.
Focus on online safety and digital wellbeing
According to officials, the proposed ban is part of a broader effort to protect children in the digital environment. Authorities say young users are increasingly exposed to problems such as online harassment, scams, misleading information and inappropriate content.
By limiting access to social media platforms, the government hopes to reduce these risks and encourage healthier digital habits among children.
The policy may also encourage parents and schools to play a stronger role in monitoring how children use the internet.
Part of a global debate on social media rules
Indonesia’s proposal comes as several countries are considering stronger rules for social media use by minors. Governments around the world are debating how to balance online freedom with safety for younger users.
Some countries have already introduced or discussed similar restrictions aimed at protecting teenagers from online harm.
The Indonesian government is expected to release more details about the regulation, including implementation timelines and enforcement measures, in the coming months.
If approved, the new rule could affect millions of young social media users across Indonesia and change how children access digital platforms in the country.
Countries to ban social media
Several countries have started introducing rules to limit social media use among children and teenagers. In 2024, Australia passed a law banning social media access for users under 16, aiming to protect minors from online harm and addictive platform features. In France, children under 15 need parental consent to create social media accounts under a digital regulation law. United Kingdom and United States have also debated stricter age-verification and parental control rules. Meanwhile, countries such as China already enforce strict digital limits for minors, including time restrictions and tighter platform monitoring to reduce online risks.
