Indonesia to restrict social media access for children under 16

Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications and digital ministry confirmed on Friday, making it the latest country to install online guardrails to reduce ​the risks of addiction and cyberbullying.



A number of governments have imposed ​curbs on social media for children ⁠amid mounting concerns over the impact that social media is having on the safety and mental ​health of minors.



Australia ‌introduced a ban on social media for under-16s in December, and Spain also said last month that it would ban access to ​social media for minors under 16.



Indonesia's neighbour Malaysia announced in November that it would also ban social media for users under the age of 16 starting from 2026.



Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's ‌Communications and Digital Minister, said ​in a video statement that the government will "delay access" to social media accounts for children under 16 through a ministerial regulation issued on Friday.