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Nation & Identity

Indonesia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16 in Major Online Safety Crackdown

Published on Mar 11, 2026

Indonesia has announced a sweeping ban on social media accounts for children under 16, introducing one of the toughest online safety policies in the world. Officials say the rule is designed to protect young people from harmful content, cyberbullying, and rising digital addiction.

 

Starting March 28, accounts belonging to users under 16 will be removed from major platforms. The restriction applies to services including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.

 

Government officials say the decision follows growing concerns about the impact of social media on children’s mental health and safety. "Our children are facing increasingly real threats—ranging from exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, and online scams, to addiction, which is the most significant concern," said Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's communications and digital affairs minister.

 

Authorities say the scale of the problem has turned digital safety into

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