Why Countries Are Banning Social Media For Children: A Muslim Nation Joins The Trend

After Australia, Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16, Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said Friday. Hafid in a statement to media said that she just signed a government regulation that will mean children under the age of 16 can no longer have accounts on high-risk digital platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox.

When will Indonesia ban social media for teenagers?

The implementation will start gradually from March 28, until all platforms fulfil their compliance obligations. "The basis is clear. Our children face increasingly real threats. From exposure to pornography, cyberbullying, online fraud, and most importantly, addiction. The government is here so that parents no longer have to fight alone against the giant of algorithms," Hafid said.

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She added that the government is taking this step as the best effort in the midst of a digital emergency to reclaim sovereignty over children's futures. "We realise that the implementation of this regulation may cause some discomfort at first. Children may complain, and parents may be confused about how to respond to their children's complaints," Hafid said.

Why has Indonesia taken this step? 

Earlier this week, Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs conducted a surprise inspection of Meta Platforms' Jakarta office over concerns about the handling of harmful content on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

The ministry, in a statement, said that through this inspection, the Minister of Communication and Information Technology issued a stern warning regarding Meta's low level of compliance with national regulations.

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Indonesia will be the first country in Southeast Asia to restrict the access of children to social media. The restriction of social media access for teens began in Australia in December 2025. Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia.

5 reasons why countries are banning or restricting social media for children:

Mental health concerns – Heavy use is linked to anxiety, depression, and sleep problems in teens.

Cyberbullying – Kids face harassment and bullying online more easily than offline.

Harmful content exposure – Children can encounter pornographic, violent, or dangerous content.

Addiction to algorithms – Platforms are designed to keep users scrolling for long periods.

Privacy and safety risks – Kids may be targeted by scams, predators, or data exploitation.

(With inputs from agency)