KUALA LUMPUR – In a dramatic escalation of its child online safety drive, Indonesia has summoned tech giants Meta and Google for failing to comply with new regulations under PP Tunas, which ban social media use for children under 16.
The move marks the country’s toughest action yet against global platforms accused of ignoring local laws.
Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said both companies failed to enforce the minimum user age requirement of 16 across their platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.
“To both entities, the government today (March 30) has sent summons letters as part of the implementation of administrative sanctions in accordance with the applicable provisions,” she said in a video statement posted on the ministry’s official Instagram account late Monday.
Indonesia officially banned social media use for children under 16 as part of PP Tunas, which requires phased deactivation of underage accounts on high‑risk platforms.
Meutya revealed that only X and Bigolive were fully compliant, while TikTok and Roblox received warning letters for partial compliance.
“If these two platforms (TikTok and Roblox) subsequently still fail to demonstrate full compliance, the government will adjust its measures to also issue summons letters to both platforms,” she warned.
The minister stressed that Indonesia would prioritize collaboration with platforms that respect its legal framework and safeguard children.
“We also need to convey that the government is not overly surprised that there have been attempts by one or two companies to evade their obligations, especially since from the outset of discussions on PP Tunas, those platforms had already shown considerable resistance,” she said.
Meutya described PP Tunas as a landmark policy, noting Indonesia’s vast digital population, including around 70 million users under the age of 16.
“However, the government believes that this is the right step in the right direction. Similar regulations have also been implemented in many other countries, including in Asia, the Asia‑Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and other regions,” she said.
She urged parents and children to play an active role in monitoring platforms, highlighting Indonesia’s high digital usage, with average daily screen time reaching seven to eight hours.
“This policy represents a broader shift in behaviour and habits, including efforts to address digital addiction, and calls for continued focus in ensuring children access digital platforms only when they are ready,” she added. – March 31, 2026