Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s

It is the latest country to curb young people's access to digital spaces to try and protect them from abuse.

Indonesia will ban social media for children under ... . Hafid in a statement to media ... .

Indonesia is to become the latest country to ban children under the age of ... from using social media. A new government regulation will prohibit children from making accounts on digital platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, ... . The law will be implemented gradually, starting from March 28. 'The basis is clear. Our children ... , from exposure to pornography, cyberbul ... ,' communication and digital affairs minister Meutya Hafid said.

Indonesia's neighbour Malaysia announced in November that it would also ban social media for users under the age of 16 starting from 2026. Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and Digital Minister, said in a video statement that the government will 'delay access' to social media accounts for children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued on Friday. Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on 'high risk platforms' will be gradually deactivated, Meutya said, adding the platforms include TikTok, Facebook, Instagram ... and Roblox.

Children under 16 years old in Indonesia will be prohibited from accessing TikTok, Roblox, Instagram and other online platforms. Indonesia is the latest country to restrict social media usage for minors. The restrictions will apply to 'high-risk' platforms, including YouTube, ... , and Roblox. The restrictions are set to roll out gradually, starting later this month.

Indonesia will implement a ban on children under the age of 16 using social media platforms starting gradually from March 28, 2026, according to Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid. The ban covers platforms considered high-risk, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. The regulation is intended to protect children from threats such as pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and digital addiction. Hafid emphasized that this move is part of a broader effort to address a 'digital emergency' and safeguard the future of children.

Indonesia has become the latest, and most populous, country to say it will ban social media for under-16s. The country - which has the fourth biggest population in the world - has approved new restrictions designed to protect young people online. And with high levels of internet use among its more than 284 million people, the ban could have a big impact. Since Australia brought in the world's first ban of under-16s on social media in December, a succession of other countries - including Spain, France, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece and Italy - have said they plan to do the same. Indonesia's communications and digital minister, Meutya Hafid, said her government would 'delay access' for under-16s until platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram ... X, Youtube and Roblox 'perform their obligations'.