Indonesia plans to introduce new restrictions on children’s and adolescents’ access to social media and digital services starting in 2026. This initiative is part of a national policy aimed at strengthening the protection of minors against the growing risks associated with internet use. The measure is based on a new regulatory framework dedicated to child safety in the digital environment, incorporated into a government decree on the governance of electronic platforms, which is scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2026.
Through this reform, Indonesian authorities seek to reduce young people’s exposure to online content considered harmful or inappropriate. Digital service providers, including social media platforms, online gaming services, messaging applications, and e-commerce websites, will be required to comply with minimum age requirements for users and adapt their services accordingly.
President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized that the state has a responsibility to ensure children can grow up in a safe, balanced, and supportive digital environment. He stressed the importance of protecting minors from online threats while still allowing them to benefit from the opportunities offered by digital technologies.
Meanwhile, Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid explained that access to platforms will be regulated according to the level of risk associated with each service. Restrictions for young people aged between 13 and 16 will vary depending on the nature of the platforms, which will be classified into categories ranging from low to high risk. This classification will serve as a reference for determining the conditions under which minors may access digital services.
The regulation also introduces strict rules regarding the protection of children’s personal data. Digital platforms will be prohibited from collecting, analyzing, or exploiting minors’ data for profiling purposes. Companies that fail to comply with these requirements may face administrative sanctions, ranging from warnings and fines to the complete suspension of their services within Indonesia.
During the drafting of this legal framework, the government consulted several civil society organizations as well as children themselves, in order to take into account their experiences and concerns. According to some advocacy groups, this comprehensive approach sets Indonesia apart from other countries, as it goes beyond social media and covers the entire digital ecosystem.
Experts note that risks to minors do not come solely from social media platforms, but also from unfiltered search engines, messaging applications, and certain types of online advertising. By expanding the scope of the regulation, authorities hope to better address the wide range of threats present in the digital space.
The Indonesian government has also drawn inspiration from international experiences, particularly recent reforms implemented in countries such as Australia, where age limits have been introduced for access to certain platforms following studies highlighting the negative effects of social media on young people’s mental health.
However, Jakarta has opted for a gradual approach that takes into account national circumstances, the technical capacities of local platforms, and the central role of parents in guiding children’s digital use. The authorities aim to strike a balance between protecting minors, safeguarding the right to information, and adapting to the country’s technological realities.
