Indonesia enforces child social media ban
Analysis based on 21 articles · First reported Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026
Social media companies face increased regulatory costs and potential user growth slowdown in Indonesia and globally. Compliance with age verification and account deactivation may reduce engagement metrics, but the long-term impact on advertising revenue is uncertain as platforms adapt.
Indonesia's new regulation requiring social media platforms to deactivate accounts of children under 16 took effect, with ByteDance — TikTok Shop and Google — YouTube shutting down about 4.7 million accounts. ByteDance — TikTok Shop removed 4.1 million accounts, Google — YouTube removed 600,000. The regulation, issued in March, targets high-risk platforms including X, Meta Platforms — Instagram, and Roblox Corporation. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid stated the goal is to reduce cyberbullying and addiction risks. This follows Australia's ban last year and aligns with global trends: the UK announced broader restrictions, France is advancing legislation, Spain announced plans, Republic of Ireland is working with EU partners, Canada introduced legislation, and the UAE announced a similar restriction. The WHO is supporting research on digital environments' impact on child health.
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