Indonesia social media ban for minors comes into effect News
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Indonesia social media ban for minors comes into effect

Indonesia’s new regulation banning children under the age of 16 from accessing social media and online platforms came into effect on Saturday. The new regulation also imposes restrictions and requirements on public and private electronic systems providers to protect the rights of children, according to the Indonesian government.

The Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Digital No. 9 of 2026 is aimed at preventing minors from exposure to harmful or sensitive content online. The new law addresses online exposure to pornography, violent content, cyberbullying, online fraud, and addiction. Parents and guardians are granted more oversight and control of their child’s online activity, including granting parents the right to consent whenever an application enables their child to communicate with an anonymous user.

The regulation was announced on March 6, 2026, and has been compared to other laws like Australia’s 2024 bill banning minors from accessing social media. The Indonesian regulation implements a 2025 regulation known as PP Tunas that was voted on March 27, 2025. PP Tunas imposes restrictions on electronic systems providers to implement measures to protect children’s personal data and their digital rights. Some of the general obligations of PP Tunas include providing clear information on the minimum age to access websites, implementing age verification procedures, and implementing reporting mechanisms to address misuse of products.

Speaking about PP Tunas in December 2025, Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid stated:

Our message is simple and crucial. Wait until children are ready. Make sure they are ready in terms of age, mental maturity and proper guidance before entering the digital world … This regulation sets a legal foundation to keep platforms accountable. With proper Digital Education for Children and strong support from all sides, we aim to build a safe digital culture where children grow and learn without facing threats

Other governments, such as the European Union, Malaysia, and France, have considered implementing similar social media restrictions. Australia’s 2024 act imposing a minimum age requirement for accessing social media has been criticized by rights groups like Amnesty International for being an “ineffective quick fix.”

 

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