Indonesia to Enforce Social Media Ban for Under-16s: Which Platforms Are Affected
Indonesia's Social Media Ban for Minors
According to Главком: Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has signed a new regulation that will prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media. This protective measure is scheduled to take effect on March 28.
Platforms Under the New Rules
The new rules will prevent children from creating accounts on platforms the government classifies as high-risk digital services. This move reflects growing global concern over the mental health and safety of young people online. The list of affected platforms includes:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Threads
- X
- Roblox
- Bigo Live
Indonesian authorities cite increasingly prevalent threats to children, such as pornography, cyberbullying, online scams, and addiction. A ministry spokesperson stated:
“The rationale is clear. Our children are facing increasingly real threats.”
This initiative makes Indonesia the first country in Southeast Asia to implement such restrictions. Meanwhile, France plans to ban social media for children under 15 starting in September 2026. These actions highlight a rising trend among governments to regulate youth access to digital platforms.
Indonesia's social media ban underscores a global effort to balance freedom of information with the protection of minors from potentially harmful content. As young people become more vulnerable to online dangers, such policies may prompt other nations to reconsider their own digital safety regulations.
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