Indonesia to Restrict Social Media Access for Users Under 16 Starting March 28

Indonesia will commence deactivating social media accounts for users under 16 on high-risk platforms starting March 28, 2026. Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced that platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox are targeted in this initiative. The regulation aims to shield children from online threats such as pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and digital addiction. Hafid stated that the government is stepping in so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giants of the algorithm. The implementation will begin on March 28, 2026. The ban will be introduced in stages until all platforms fulfill their compliance obligations. This move aligns Indonesia with countries like Australia, which implemented a similar ban in December 2025, and Malaysia, planning to enforce such restrictions in 2026. The regulation reflects a growing global trend to protect minors from potential online harms.