JAKARTA | INDATANEWS.COM ~ The Indonesian government has officially set 16 years old as the minimum age for access to high-risk digital platforms, including social media. The policy was announced by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) as part of a broader effort to strengthen child protection online.
The regulation follows the issuance of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025, known as PP Tunas, which governs the management of electronic system providers in relation to child protection.
Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, said the ministry had issued a new ministerial regulation to reinforce safeguards for minors in the digital environment.
"Today we are issuing a ministerial regulation as the implementation of PP Tunas. Through this rule, access for children under 16 to high-risk digital platforms, including social media and online networking services, will be restricted," Hafid said in an official statement on Friday, March 6, 2026.
She emphasized that the government is not banning children from accessing the internet. Instead, the policy delays access to high-risk platforms until a safer age.
Government data shows that around 229 million people in Indonesia are currently connected to the internet, with nearly 80 percent of children already having online access.
"That is a huge number and a serious signal for all of us," Hafid said.
Rising Risks for Children in the Digital SpaceAuthorities say the new regulation responds to growing concerns about children's safety online.
Data from UNICEF indicates that around 50 percent of Indonesian children who use the internet have been exposed to sexual content on social media. In addition, about 42 percent of children reported feeling scared or uncomfortable due to their experiences online.
"Half of Indonesian children have already seen sexual content on the internet. This is a serious warning for all of us. Digital platforms must also take responsibility for protecting children," Hafid said.
Authorities have also recorded approximately 1.45 million cases of online child exploitation, further highlighting the urgency of stronger digital safeguards.
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia is working to prevent children from falsifying their identities, as part of a more concrete technical solution to ensure effective user age verification. (PHOTO: Doc. Komdigi)
Government Develops Stronger Age Verification
Another major challenge is the frequent manipulation of age information by minors to gain access to social media platforms. To address this issue, the government is currently working on technological solutions to improve age verification systems.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said the ministry is evaluating several technical measures to close the loophole.
Currently, many platforms rely on simple self-reported data during account registration. Users can easily change their birth year, allowing them to bypass age restrictions.
"When we enter a platform and are asked about our age, we can simply change the birth date. It is very easy to manipulate. That is why we are already working with various platforms to develop technological solutions," Nezar said after a media event at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison in Jakarta.
He stressed that without technological support, enforcing age restrictions in practice would be difficult.
Trial of "Age Inferential" Technology
Several digital platforms are currently testing a technology known as Age Inferential to improve age verification mechanisms.
The system uses algorithms to analyze users' online behavior patterns. If the activity does not match the age provided during registration, the system can detect anomalies and take automated action.
"Age Inferential uses algorithms to analyze user habits. If someone typically accesses child-related content and suddenly shows unusual patterns, the system can detect that anomaly and block access," Nezar explained.
The Indonesian government hopes the technology will help strengthen child protection in the digital space and ensure the new minimum age rule for social media can be effectively implemented. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Darmailawati