The Indonesian government has begun implementing a policy restricting social media use for children under the age of 16 as part of its strategy to protect children in the digital space. This policy is regulated through the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation No. 9 of 2026, which is an implementing regulation of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 concerning Electronic System Governance for Child Protection (PP TUNAS) (nasional.kompas).

The regulation targets social media accounts belonging to children under the age of 16 on digital platforms that are categorized as high-risk platforms. This policy will be implemented in stages with a mechanism to deactivate user accounts that do not meet the specified age limit.

This step comes amid increasing internet use by the younger generation. Data shows that internet penetration in Indonesia reached around 79.5% in 2024, while nearly 48% of children under the age of 12 already access the internet (reuters).

This high level of digital access has prompted the government to strengthen regulations on child protection in the digital space. This policy also positions Indonesia as one of the countries that has begun to adopt a regulatory approach to social media platforms to protect the younger generation from various digital risks.

Why Was This Policy Taken?

The government's decision to restrict children's use of social media did not come without reason. A number of scientific studies show that uncontrolled use of social media can have an impact on children's mental health and psychological development.

1. Mental health risks in adolescents

Research published in health journals shows that social media use among adolescents correlates with increased mental distress, self-harming behavior, and suicide risk among some young users. In addition, another study found that children aged 10–12 who experienced cyberbullying on social media showed higher levels of social anxiety and symptoms of depression compared to children who did not experience digital bullying articles-PMC.

These findings show that the digital space can be a risky environment for children's psychological development if it is not adequately regulated.

2. The impact of cyberbullying on adolescent development

Cyberbullying is one of the main risks of concern in this policy. Research shows that victims of cyberbullying often experience decreased self-esteem, emotional distress, and an increased risk of depression in adolescents.

Other studies have also found that victims of cyberbullying can experience anxiety, loneliness, and even suicidal behavior, while perpetrators also have a tendency toward aggressive behavior and substance abuse.

The nature of cyberbullying, which occurs online, makes it difficult for victims to avoid these attacks because digital content can spread widely and remain on the internet for a long time.

3. The risk of social media addiction

In addition to cyberbullying, social media addiction is also an important reason for this regulation. Studies show that excessive use of social media can stimulate the reward center in the brain and trigger behavior patterns similar to addiction yalemedicine.org.

Mechanism for Implementing Social Media Restrictions for Children

Regulations restricting children's use of social media in Indonesia are not only normative prohibitions, but also have clear implementation mechanisms.

1. Policy implementation start date

The Indonesian government will begin implementing this policy in stages starting on March 28, 2026. In the initial stage, social media platforms are required to identify user accounts belonging to individuals under the age of 16.

Accounts identified as belonging to children under this age will be suspended or deactivated gradually until all platforms comply with government regulations.

2. Platforms classified as high risk

Several social media platforms are classified as high risk, including:

• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• X (Twitter)
• Roblox
• Bigo Live

The Indonesian government stated that the technical implementation of social media account restrictions for children under the age of 16 is still in the coordination stage with digital platform companies. The government will discuss with technology companies to determine the mechanism for implementing this policy, including the possibility of adjusting the platform system to comply with national regulations.

Policy Challenges: Indonesia's Relationship with Global Platform Companies

According to international reports, Indonesia's policy of restricting children's use of social media could have a direct impact on global technology companies, as they would have to adjust their platform systems to comply with local regulations.

In addition, the Indonesian government can also use a regulatory approach by requiring digital platforms to comply with national laws. If technology companies do not comply with these regulations, the government has the authority to restrict the operation of digital services in Indonesia. This approach shows that the country is trying to strengthen its digital sovereignty in regulating global technology platforms operating within its jurisdiction.