Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s from 28 March

Exam-focused facts from the 7 March 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Indonesia will deactivate accounts for under 16s on high-risk platforms starting 28 March.
Initial platforms covered include YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said Indonesia will be the first non-Western country to delay children's access to digital spaces by age.
Unicef reported in 2023 that roughly half of 510 Indonesian children surveyed had been exposed to sexual images on social media.
Australia began enforcing a social media ban for under 16s in December, with Spain and the UK considering similar measures.