In a significant move, social media platforms TikTok and YouTube have disabled around 4.7 million accounts belonging to children under the age of 16 in Indonesia, as announced by the country’s Communications and Digital Minister, Meutya Hafid, on Thursday night.
This large-scale removal represents the first major enforcement action under Indonesia’s recently implemented social media regulations. ByteDance’s TikTok accounted for the majority of the deactivations, shutting down approximately 4.1 million accounts, while Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube disabled about 600,000 accounts.
Minister Meutya highlighted that the government anticipates other major technology companies to promptly follow this example. The ministry is currently reviewing self-assessment compliance reports submitted by various platforms to ensure adherence to the new rules.
The crackdown is part of a regulatory framework introduced in March, which requires digital platforms classified as “high risk” to actively block users under 16 years old. This policy has already targeted prominent platforms including Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), Meta’s Instagram, and the popular multiplayer gaming service Roblox.
Meutya emphasized that the government’s goal extends beyond merely restricting access for children; it aims to drive fundamental behavioral changes within these platforms. The intention is to enforce long-term structural reforms in how major tech companies operate within Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Indonesian authorities argue that these stringent measures are crucial to combat rising concerns over cyberbullying, predatory activities, and digital addiction affecting minors.
Neither TikTok nor YouTube has provided immediate comments regarding the extensive account deactivations.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s decisive action reflects a growing global movement toward regulating minors’ access to social media. The country’s policy draws inspiration from Australia’s pioneering legislation enacted last year, which prohibits social media use by young teenagers amid concerns about adolescent mental health.
Australia’s approach is being closely monitored worldwide as a potential model for international digital governance. Similarly, European countries have taken steps to protect children online; for instance, Great Britain recently announced plans to strengthen age-verification requirements across online gaming and live-streaming platforms.
