Indonesia launches gradual ban on social media access for children under 16
Indonesia began phased implementation on Saturday of a new government regulation that bars children under 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media and digital platforms, aiming to shield them from pornography, cyberbullying, online scams and addiction. The regulation, approved earlier this month, makes Indonesia the first country in Southeast Asia to enforce such restrictions on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox. It follows Australia’s pioneering nationwide ban that took effect in December 2025. Officials have described the rollout as gradual, with high-risk platforms required to adjust minimum ages, deactivate accounts belonging…