Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16

The move makes Indonesia the first country in Southeast Asia to limit children’s access to major social media platforms.

A teenager uses her cellphone to access social media in New York City on Jan. 31, 2024. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for users under the age of 16, officials said this week, making it the latest country to move to curb online risks faced by children.

Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said on March 6 that the Indonesian government has signed a regulation that will prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts on “high-risk” digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and Roblox.