Jakarta warns major tech firms of sanctions as child account restrictions take effect
Indonesia is escalating its fight over child online safety, summoning Meta and Google after accusing both companies of failing to comply with new restrictions on social media access for users under 16.
Government Tightens Pressure
Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said Meta and Google were summoned on March 30 for checks over alleged non-compliance with the country’s new rules restricting access for children under 16 to high-risk digital platforms. The measure went fully into effect last week, and the ministry has warned that failure to comply could lead to sanctions or even platform blocking.
Why Meta and Google Are in Focus
Meutya said Meta and Google had opposed the curbs from the beginning, even as both companies said earlier they had already introduced safeguards for younger users. The dispute reflects a deeper clash between Indonesia’s demand for direct account deactivation and the companies’ preference for built-in safety tools, parental controls, and moderated teen experiences.
Wider Warning for Other Platforms
The ministry has also identified TikTok and Roblox as high-risk platforms and issued warnings telling both companies to become fully compliant or face summons as well. Indonesia says the rules are designed to reduce cyberbullying, addiction, and other psychological risks to minors, with criteria for high-risk platforms including the ability to talk to strangers, addictive features, and wider mental health concerns.
A Huge Enforcement Challenge
The stakes are especially high because Indonesia has one of the region’s largest online populations. Internet penetration reached 80.66 percent in 2025, according to the Indonesia Internet Service Providers’ Association, and 87.8 percent among Gen Z users aged 13 to 28. Meutya has said there are about 70 million children under 16 in Indonesia, showing just how large the enforcement challenge is for both regulators and tech platforms.
Regional Policy Shift Is Taking Shape
Indonesia’s move follows Australia’s 2025 restrictions and marks one of the strongest digital child-protection policies in Southeast Asia. The government is signaling that global platforms will be expected to apply child safety standards in Indonesia as seriously as they do in other markets, making this showdown a major test of regulatory power in the region’s fast-growing digital economy.
Indonesia’s decision to summon Meta and Google shows that its under-16 social media policy is moving from announcement to enforcement. For Indonesians, especially parents, the next phase will be whether the rules can actually protect children without creating major gaps in access or oversight. For Singaporeans, the case is another sign that Southeast Asian governments are becoming more willing to challenge global tech firms directly on youth safety, platform accountability, and digital governance.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Reuters (2026)
Keywords: Indonesia Social Media Rules, Meta Compliance, Google Compliance, Meutya Hafid, Under 16 Ban, Child Online Safety, Platform Sanctions
