Indonesia to block under-16s from “high-risk” social platforms from 28 March 2026, as police ramp up action on online gambling networks

Jakarta’s new rule orders a phased deactivation of accounts belonging to children under 16 on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, as authorities cite addiction, fraud and harmful content risks; the move comes alongside a wider enforcement push that has recently included takedowns of 130+ illegal gambling websites and asset freezes tied to online betting.

Indonesia has introduced a new rule that will restrict children under 16 from accessing several major social media and “high-risk” digital platforms starting 28 March 2026, according to the country’s Communications and Digital Ministry. The policy will be implemented through a phased deactivation of accounts belonging to under-16 users on platforms the government categorises as “high risk.”

Officials have said the objective is child protection: reducing exposure to digital addiction, cyberbullying, pornography and online fraud, while pushing platforms to tighten age and safety controls. In public briefings and reporting, the “high-risk” list has included major services such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, with other platforms also referenced in official explanations and media coverage.

The announcement has also triggered direct engagement from big platforms. Reuters reported that YouTube and TikTok have entered talks with the Indonesian government as they seek clarity on how the restrictions will be applied and enforced in practice.

While the social-media rule is primarily framed as online safety policy, it sits in a broader crackdown context that includes illicit betting. Indonesian enforcement agencies have recently publicised actions against online gambling infrastructure, including blocking 130+ illegal gambling sites and freezing funds suspected to be connected to those networks—reflecting a strategy that combines platform controls with financial disruption.

Taken together, Indonesia is signalling a tougher posture on the “high-risk” digital ecosystem: limiting youth access to engagement-heavy platforms while increasing pressure on illegal online industries that exploit the same channels for recruitment, payments and promotion.