New digital child protection rules will reshape platform responsibility and online access nationwide

Indonesia is taking a decisive step to protect children online as digital platforms become increasingly central to daily life. A new regulation set to take effect in 2026 signals a shift toward stronger accountability, safer access, and clearer boundaries within the country’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.

A New Legal Framework For Child Safety
The Indonesian government is preparing to enforce restrictions on children’s and adolescents’ access to social media starting March 1, 2026, through Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025. Known as the Child Protection in Digital Space Regulation or PP Tunas, the policy applies to all electronic system providers, including social media platforms, online games, and e-commerce services. Its core aim is to shield children from online harm while allowing them to benefit from technological progress.

Mandatory Age Requirements And Platform Duties
Under PP Tunas, digital platforms must enforce minimum age requirements for users. President Prabowo Subianto stated that the regulation reflects the state’s responsibility to ensure children grow up in a safe and healthy digital environment. The rules also prohibit platforms from profiling children or collecting and analyzing their personal data, marking a significant shift from voluntary safeguards towards mandatory compliance.

Risk-Based Access For Young Users
Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid explained that children’s access will be governed based on each platform’s risk profile. Users aged 13 to 16 will face different limitations depending on whether a service is classified as high-risk or low-risk. The government will publish official platform classifications, including social media services, to guide enforcement efforts and parental awareness.

Sanctions And Enforcement Measures
Platforms that fail to comply will face administrative sanctions applied in stages. These range from formal warnings and financial penalties to full access termination in cases of repeated violations. Authorities are currently finalizing implementing rules to ensure consistent enforcement, following public consultations and pilot testing involving children in several regions.

Broad Support From Child Rights Advocates
The regulation was developed with input from nongovernmental organizations and children themselves. Andy Ardian of ECPAT Indonesia noted that PP Tunas is more comprehensive than many international models, as it covers the entire digital ecosystem rather than focusing solely on social media. He highlighted ongoing risks from unsafe search engines, messaging platforms, digital advertising, and hundreds of harmful websites still hosted domestically.

Learning From Global Precedents
Indonesia’s policy direction has been informed by international developments, particularly in Australia. In 2024, Australia amended its Online Safety Act to impose minimum age limits on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, supported by evidence linking social media use to mental health risks among youth. Indonesia, however, has chosen a gradual and context-sensitive approach that balances protection with children’s rights to information.

Preparing Parents And The Education Sector
The government has emphasized that restrictions cannot be implemented abruptly. Technical readiness, algorithm oversight, content assessment, and parental involvement remain key priorities. Upcoming implementing regulations are expected to provide clearer guidance for digital platforms, parents, and schools on supervising children’s online activities responsibly.

PP Tunas represents a major policy shift in how Indonesia governs child safety in the digital age. By adopting a risk-based and ecosystem-wide approach, the regulation seeks to curb data misuse, strengthen platform accountability, and promote healthier online habits. The move also signals closer alignment with global digital safety standards, offering important implications for regional cooperation and digital governance affecting both Indonesians and Singaporeans.

Sources: Jakarta Post (2025) , APAC (2025)

Keywords: Child Protection Regulation, Social Media Age Limits, Digital Platform Governance, Online Safety Indonesia