Indonesia plans to block social media access for users under 16, prompting negotiations with YouTube, TikTok and other tech platforms over safety, regulation and youth digital rights.
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| Indonesia’s new rule targeting under-16 social media users sparks discussions with YouTube, TikTok and Meta over online safety, regulation and access to digital platforms. Image: CH |
Jakarta, Indonesia — March 9, 2026:
Indonesia is preparing to introduce sweeping restrictions on social media use by minors, triggering discussions between the government and major technology platforms over how to protect young users without limiting access to digital resources.
The policy, announced by Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs, will require platforms to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16 on services deemed “high-risk.” The rule is scheduled to take effect on March 28 and will affect widely used platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and the gaming platform Roblox.
Indonesia’s communications minister Meutya Hafid said the regulation is aimed at strengthening protections for children online amid growing concerns about social media’s influence on mental health, privacy and digital safety.
Technology companies are responding cautiously, opting for engagement with policymakers rather than confrontation. Representatives of YouTube said the company is reviewing the regulation and hopes the final implementation will empower parents while preserving access to educational content used by millions of Indonesian students.
Meanwhile, TikTok, owned by ByteDance, said it is working with Indonesian officials to better understand the provisions of the new regulation. The company noted that teen accounts on its platform already include more than 50 built-in privacy, safety and security features designed to protect younger users.
Concerns have also been raised by Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. The company has warned that outright bans could push teenagers toward less regulated websites or anonymous browsing environments where safety protections are weaker.
Instead, Meta argues that platform-based safeguards—such as default privacy settings and supervised teen accounts—may offer a more balanced approach to youth protection online.
Indonesia’s move reflects a wider international trend as governments increasingly scrutinize the role of social media in young people’s lives. Countries such as Australia have already introduced measures restricting social media access for minors, citing concerns about mental health risks, cyberbullying and online exploitation.
For Indonesia, one of the world’s largest social media markets, the stakes are particularly high. With millions of teenagers using digital platforms daily for communication, entertainment and education, the regulation could significantly reshape the country’s online landscape.
The ongoing discussions between Indonesian regulators and companies such as YouTube and TikTok will likely determine whether the policy becomes a strict enforcement model or evolves into a collaborative framework that combines government oversight with platform-level safety measures.
As the March 28 deadline approaches, the debate highlights a broader global question: how to protect children in the digital age while ensuring they remain connected to the opportunities and knowledge the internet provides.