Meta Raises Minimum Age for Facebook, Instagram and Threads in Indonesia
Meta has raised the minimum age required to access Facebook, Instagram and Threads in Indonesia to comply with new national rules designed to strengthen child protection online. The change follows the implementation of Government Regulation No. 17 of 2025 on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection (PP Tunas), which limits children’s access to certain digital platforms. According to an official report, the adjustment affects users under 16 years old and forms part of broader efforts by authorities to improve safety and oversight in the digital environment.
Prior to the new regulation, Meta allowed users aged 13 and above to create accounts on its services. The company has now aligned its policies with PP Tunas, which sets the minimum access age at 16 for platforms considered to present higher risks to children.
New child protection regulation reshapes platform access
PP Tunas came into force on 28 March 2026 and aims to strengthen safeguards for minors using digital platforms. The regulation places restrictions on children’s access to a range of services categorised as high risk, including social media and interactive online platforms.
Platforms identified under the rule include Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Bigo Live, YouTube, TikTok and Roblox. Indonesian authorities have introduced the policy as part of wider national efforts to improve digital governance and reduce potential harms to younger users.
The regulation complements other initiatives aimed at strengthening online safety, including government programmes that emphasise digital literacy and ethical online behaviour for children as well as regulatory measures to ensure technology companies take greater responsibility for protecting younger audiences.
Meta adjusts policies and verification processes
Meta Indonesia confirmed that its updated policy will apply to all accounts associated with users below the new minimum age threshold. The company said it will notify affected users before enforcing the change and will introduce processes to address incorrect restrictions.
“We are committed to supporting a safe and age-appropriate experience while complying with the new age requirement,” — Meta Indonesia
Users who are at least 16 years old but mistakenly restricted will be able to verify their age and appeal the decision in order to restore access to their accounts. The company indicated that these verification mechanisms are intended to reduce disruption while ensuring compliance with the new regulation.
“We are cooperating with the Communications and Digital Ministry in our work to align and prepare with the implementation of the new policy according to prevailing laws,” — Meta Indonesia
Compliance across major digital platforms
As of 9 April 2026, several major platforms had already complied with the PP Tunas requirements. Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X and Bigo Live were reported to be fully aligned with the new rule.
TikTok and Roblox were considered partially compliant at that time, while Google — which operates YouTube — had not yet indicated a commitment to meeting the regulation’s requirements.
The policy forms part of Indonesia’s broader regulatory approach to digital safety and platform accountability. Alongside technical and regulatory controls, authorities are also emphasising cross-sector collaboration and platform responsibility to strengthen child online safety in an increasingly complex digital ecosystem.
