Indonesia has taken one of its biggest steps yet to tighten children’s access to social media platforms. As the country’s newly introduced online safety rules begin taking effect, millions of accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 have already been removed by major technology companies. The move marks the early implementation of Indonesia’s broader strategy to reduce online risks faced by minors, including cyberbullying, excessive screen time and digital addiction. Officials also indicated that more technology companies are expected to follow in the coming months.
The policy reflects a growing international trend, with governments around the world introducing stricter safeguards for younger internet users. While social media companies have long promoted parental controls and safety features, regulators in several countries now want platforms themselves to play a much bigger role in verifying users’ ages and limiting children’s access.
TikTok and YouTube remove millions of underage accounts
Indonesia’s Communications and Digital Minister, Meutya Hafid, announced that TikTok and YouTube have together deactivated approximately 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under the age of 16. According to the minister, TikTok removed around 4.1 million accounts, while YouTube disabled roughly 600,000 accounts as part of the country’s new requirements. The government described the move as an important first phase in enforcing the regulation that came into effect earlier this year.
The minister also encouraged other digital platforms to implement similar measures as authorities continue reviewing compliance across the industry. At the time of the announcement, neither TikTok nor YouTube had publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the latest figures. Indonesian regulators are currently examining self-assessment reports submitted by technology companies to determine whether additional enforcement action may be required.
New rules target child safety across digital platforms
Indonesia introduced the regulation in March 2026, requiring social media services classified as high-risk platforms to deactivate accounts belonging to users younger than 16 years old. The rule currently applies to several major online services, including X, Instagram and gaming platform Roblox, alongside TikTok and YouTube. Authorities say the regulation is designed to encourage companies to strengthen age verification systems rather than relying solely on parental supervision.
Explaining the government’s objective, Meutya Hafid said, “We’re not just delaying a child’s access, but we want behaviours from platforms to change, too.” She added that the ministry is reviewing reports submitted by technology companies to ensure they are complying with the new requirements. Indonesian officials believe stronger platform responsibility is essential as children’s online habits continue evolving alongside rapid growth in social media usage.
Supporters of the policy argue that restricting underage access could help reduce exposure to harmful content, online harassment and unhealthy digital behaviour. Critics, however, have questioned how accurately technology companies can verify users’ ages without creating additional privacy concerns. Similar debates have emerged in several other countries introducing age-based online restrictions.
Global governments push for stricter online protections
Indonesia is not alone in adopting tougher rules for younger social media users. The country’s new policy follows Australia’s landmark legislation introduced last year, which attracted international attention for placing tighter restrictions on children’s access to social media over concerns about its potential effects on mental health. That approach has since become a reference point for governments exploring similar digital safety laws.
Momentum continues to build beyond Australia and Indonesia. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom announced plans to expand online protections for minors by considering broader restrictions covering gaming platforms and live-streaming services in addition to traditional social media. Regulators across Europe, Asia and other regions are also examining new ways to balance child safety with digital freedom as concerns over online wellbeing continue to grow.
For major technology companies, these developments signal increasing regulatory pressure worldwide. Platforms may soon need to invest more heavily in age verification technology, parental safety tools and compliance systems as governments continue demanding greater accountability. Indonesia’s removal of 4.7 million child accounts could therefore represent more than a domestic policy shift—it may also offer an early glimpse into how social media regulation is evolving across the global technology industry.
