Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced the ban, which will apply to high-risk digital platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live, according to the minister. The ban comes as Indonesia, with a population of about 285 million people making it the fourth-highest in the world, seeks to address growing concerns about children's online safety. The restriction of social media access for teens began in Australia in December 2025.
Minister Hafid explained the government's rationale, stating: 'The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly addiction.
' She acknowledged potential challenges in implementation, saying: 'We realize that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. ' The announcement follows recent government actions against social media companies. Indonesia's ministry of communication and digital affairs conducted a surprise inspection of Meta Platforms' Jakarta office earlier this week over concerns about harmful content handling.
The minister issued a stern warning to Meta regarding low compliance with national regulations. TikTok and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Some Indonesian residents expressed support for the government's action.
Marianah, a 43-year-old Jakarta resident, said: 'I think that it has been very worrying for minors, especially children. Because they have too much freedom with photos, videos and everything. Some education is educational, but some is misleading.
' Another Jakarta resident, 49-year-old Harianto, added: 'As parents, we hope that online gambling and pornography websites can also be removed. So, in a sense, the government must also be fair. ' The specific compliance obligations that platforms must fulfill under the new regulation have not been detailed, nor has the government explained how the ban will be enforced and monitored in practice.