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Indonesia Bans Social Media Accounts for Under-16s Starting March 28

The move positions Indonesia as the first Southeast Asian country to restrict minors' access to major platforms.

Overview

  • Communications minister Meutya Hafid said she has signed a regulation barring under‑16s from holding accounts on designated high‑risk services, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.
  • The rule will roll out in phases beginning March 28 and will continue until platforms meet the ministry’s compliance requirements.
  • Regulators this week conducted a surprise inspection at Meta’s Jakarta office and issued a severe warning over what they called low compliance with national regulations.
  • Officials frame the policy as a child‑protection step to reduce exposure to online pornography, cyberbullying, fraud and addiction.
  • Authorities anticipate early disruption for families as enforcement begins and cite Australia’s 2025 campaign, where platforms revoked about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to minors.