In a report by CNA, the Indonesian government is weighing a potential ban on e-commerce access for users under the age of 16, Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid told AFP on Wednesday (May 6). 

“E-commerce (platforms) are next, because we found children who became scam victims through e-commerce,” Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid said in an interview in Jakarta, without providing further details, as quoted by CNA.

In March, Indonesia began enforcing a social media ban for under-16s, aimed at protecting children from risks including online pornography, cyberbullying, and internet addiction.

Meanwhile, several platforms designated as high-risk under the new regulatory framework, including Google, YouTube, and Roblox, have reportedly signalled their willingness to comply with Indonesia’s requirements for a social media ban. 

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According to Reuters, YouTube has submitted a “letter of compliance” to the ministry, outlining steps it will take under the new rules.

“YouTube has also outlined plans to ‌deactivate ⁠these accounts (under 16) and will eliminate advertisements targeting children and teenagers in the future,” she said, as quoted by Reuters.

The move follows broader updates to YouTube’s guidelines, with multiple media reports noting that the platform will also cease targeted advertising for children.

Meanwhile, Danny Ardianto, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for YouTube in Asia Pacific, said the company “is in line with the commitment of the Indonesian ⁠government to continue supporting children’s protection”.

The development comes after Indonesia issued a reprimand to Google earlier this month, citing YouTube’s lack of cooperation with social media restrictions that took effect in March.

Minister Hafid said on Thursday (April 9) that YouTube had yet to meet the requirements of the new law or provide a clear compliance plan, according to CNA.

Under the regulation, Indonesia requires platforms it classifies as “high-risk” to deactivate accounts belonging to users under 16.

“There’s no other choice from the Indonesian government to tolerate them … and now we’re moving on to sanctions. And that sanction is a letter of reprimand,” Meutya said, as CNA reported.

YouTube is among the platforms designated as high-risk, alongside Roblox, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, X, and Bigo Live.

Most recently, Roblox has also introduced new content and communication controls for users under 16 in Indonesia, as the platform moves to align with the country’s tightening rules on children’s access to social media.

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According to The Jakarta Post, the Communications and Digital Ministry is drafting a regulation to impose age restrictions on social media use. However, Minister Meutya Hafid has not disclosed the specific age limit being considered for Indonesia. 

The report also highlighted that Minister Meutya’s remarks about the age restriction followed her discussion of the plan with President Prabowo Subianto.

“We discussed how to protect children in digital space. The president said to carry on with this plan. He is very supportive of how this kind of child protection will be done in our digital space,” Meutya said on a video posted on the YouTube channel of the president’s office. 

A key factor considered to be driving the proposed social media age restriction is Indonesia’s internet penetration, which reached 79.5% last year, according to a survey by the Indonesia Internet Service Providers’ Association. The survey revealed that 48% of children under 12 use the internet, with many accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, while 87% of Gen Z users (ages 12–27) are online.

The announcement of Indonesia’s proposed social media age limit follows Australia’s recent approval of a regulation banning social media access for children under 16.

Late last year, Australia introduced the ‘Social Media Minimum Age bill,’ requiring platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, along with TikTok, to prevent minors from logging in or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million). The ban is expected to take full effect within a year, Reuters reported.

The Straits Times also reported that Singapore is considering age limits for social media to protect young users. Under the new Code of Practice for Online Safety, app stores are required to block children under 12 from downloading apps like Instagram and TikTok, which are rated for users aged 12 and above.

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