Government warns major platforms of sanctions over under-16 social media restrictions
Indonesia has begun enforcing its new child online safety rules, but only two digital platforms have fully aligned with the policy as authorities intensify pressure on global tech companies.
Only Two Platforms Fully Comply
Indonesia’s restrictions on social media use for children under 16 officially took effect on March 29 under a ministerial regulation that serves as the technical guideline for the Child Protection in Digital Space Regulation, or PP Tunas. The policy is meant to shield minors from pornography, exploitation, and other digital harms by limiting access to platforms considered high risk to children’s wellbeing. Of the eight platforms listed in the first phase, only Bigo Live and X had fully complied by Friday evening, according to Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid.
Partial Cooperation From TikTok and Roblox
The first phase of the regulation covers YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live. Meutya said Bigo Live had fully cooperated by setting its minimum user age at 18 and introducing layered moderation to verify and deactivate underage accounts. X also adjusted its Indonesia policy so only users over 16 can hold accounts, higher than its general minimum age of 13. Meanwhile, TikTok and Roblox were described as only partially cooperative, with TikTok committing to gradually deactivate under-16 accounts and Roblox proposing offline play options for users under 13.
Government Warns There Will Be No Compromise
Meutya said the compliance list remains dynamic, but stressed that the government would continue monitoring every platform and take firm action against non-compliance. She said there would be no compromise for companies operating in Indonesia and warned that those failing to align with PP Tunas could face administrative sanctions, including warnings, fines, suspension, and even access termination. The minister also emphasized that Indonesian children deserve the same level of digital protection as children in countries such as Australia, where similar restrictions have already been enforced.
Platforms Push Back or Offer Alternative Safeguards
Some major companies responded by highlighting their existing safety features rather than fully endorsing the regulation. Meta said it remains committed to protecting teens through Instagram and Facebook Teen Accounts, which include parental controls and built-in protections over content and interactions. Google, which owns YouTube, argued against a blanket ban for users under 16, saying such restrictions could remove parental controls, screen time limits, age verification tools, and content safeguards already available on the platform. Both Meta and Google said they would coordinate with the ministry on risk assessments.
A Test of Indonesia’s Digital Policy Strength
The rollout of PP Tunas now becomes an early test of how far Indonesia can push global platforms to adapt their services to national child protection standards. Meutya was also summoned by Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya on March 28 to report on the implementation of the regulation and the level of platform compliance. As enforcement moves forward, the government appears determined to show that child safety in Indonesia will be treated as a serious regulatory priority rather than a negotiable issue.
Indonesia’s new digital child protection rules mark a significant shift in how Southeast Asia’s largest economy is regulating online platforms. For Indonesians, especially parents, the policy signals stronger state intervention in protecting minors from online harm. For Singaporeans watching regional digital policy trends, the move highlights how governments in the region are becoming more assertive in demanding that global technology companies apply consistent child safety standards across markets, not just in wealthier countries.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , The Star (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Social Media Ban, Child Protection Regulation, PP Tunas, Meutya Hafid, X Indonesia, Bigo Live, Platform Compliance
