Indonesia Bans Social Media for Under-16s A Bold Step Toward National Digital Safety.

Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s Starting March 28

The Indonesian government has announced a landmark policy prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Citing urgent concerns over online pornography, cyberbullying, digital scams, and internet addiction, the ban is set to officially take effect on March 28, 2026.

Targeting "High-Risk" Platforms

Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs stated that the mandate specifically targets "high-risk" online platforms. These services are now required to identify and deactivate accounts held by users under the age limit. The first wave of platforms subject to this regulation includes:

• Video & Entertainment: YouTube, TikTok, Bigo Live

• Social Networking: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter)

• Gaming: Roblox

Joining the Global Movement

With this move, Indonesia becomes the latest nation to adopt a stringent age-restriction policy for social media, following in the footsteps of Australia, which pioneered similar legislation. Governments worldwide are now closely monitoring the outcomes of these bans as they consider implementing their own digital safety frameworks.

The biggest problem is "age verification technology." The Indonesian government is considering linking data with e-KTP (digital national ID card) or using AI face scanning to verify users' ages, an issue that human rights activists are closely watching for regarding privacy concerns.

This law isn't just aimed at punishing platforms, but at pressuring parents to be more involved. The government states that parents may be fined for negligence, shifting the responsibility from state oversight to the family directly.

Indonesia is one of the largest markets for TikTok and YouTube. Banning users under 16 could impact young micro-influencers and brands targeting Gen Alpha, forcing businesses to adapt and find new ways to reach this customer segment.

Besides Australia and Indonesia, several states in the United States and some European countries are now drafting similar laws (such as restricting nighttime usage), reflecting the world's shift towards an era of "digital safety over connectivity." 

 

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Source: The Strait Times 

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Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Under-16s Starting March 28

The Indonesian government has announced a landmark policy prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. Citing urgent concerns over online pornography, cyberbullying, digital scams, and internet addiction, the ban is set to officially take effect on March 28, 2026.

Targeting "High-Risk" Platforms

Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs stated that the mandate specifically targets "high-risk" online platforms. These services are now required to identify and deactivate accounts held by users under the age limit. The first wave of platforms subject to this regulation includes:

• Video & Entertainment: YouTube, TikTok, Bigo Live

• Social Networking: Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter)

• Gaming: Roblox

Joining the Global Movement

With this move, Indonesia becomes the latest nation to adopt a stringent age-restriction policy for social media, following in the footsteps of Australia, which pioneered similar legislation. Governments worldwide are now closely monitoring the outcomes of these bans as they consider implementing their own digital safety frameworks.

The biggest problem is "age verification technology." The Indonesian government is considering linking data with e-KTP (digital national ID card) or using AI face scanning to verify users' ages, an issue that human rights activists are closely watching for regarding privacy concerns.

This law isn't just aimed at punishing platforms, but at pressuring parents to be more involved. The government states that parents may be fined for negligence, shifting the responsibility from state oversight to the family directly.

Indonesia is one of the largest markets for TikTok and YouTube. Banning users under 16 could impact young micro-influencers and brands targeting Gen Alpha, forcing businesses to adapt and find new ways to reach this customer segment.

Besides Australia and Indonesia, several states in the United States and some European countries are now drafting similar laws (such as restricting nighttime usage), reflecting the world's shift towards an era of "digital safety over connectivity." 

 

The Future of Filmmaking Netflix Enlists Ben Affleck to Bridge AI and Human Creativity

 

Source: The Strait Times