Indonesia may extend under-16 restrictions to online shopping platforms

As conversations around children’s online safety continue to grow worldwide, Indonesia is now considering tighter digital rules that go beyond social media.

Just months after introducing restrictions for under-16s on major social platforms, the Indonesian government is reportedly looking into limiting children’s access to e-commerce platforms as well.

Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said the proposal comes after concerns emerged about children becoming victims of scams through online shopping sites.

“E-commerce platforms are next, because we found children who became scam victims through e-commerce,” she said in an interview with AFP.

Back in March, Indonesia began enforcing a social media ban for users under 16 in an effort to protect nearly 70 million children from online pornography, cyberbullying and internet addiction.

The restrictions initially focused on platforms considered “high risk”, including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, YouTube, Bigo Live and Roblox. However, the government has since indicated that the regulations could eventually apply to all digital platforms, including online shopping services.

According to Meutya, the goal is not to punish parents, but to help families navigate a digital landscape dominated by powerful tech companies.

“Letting them face off against the platforms alone, without rules, is like letting parents play chess against a grandmaster,” she said.

The issue has become increasingly relevant in Indonesia, which has one of the world’s largest and most active online populations.

Gaming platform Roblox recently introduced age verification features and age-based content restrictions in response to the new regulations. The government revealed that more than half of Roblox’s 45 million Indonesian users are children under 16.

Indonesia is not alone in rethinking children’s digital access. Countries including Australia, France, Spain and Denmark have also announced plans to tighten online protections for minors.

Under Indonesia’s proposed approach, responsibility would fall largely on platforms themselves to regulate access and comply with the rules, with penalties including fines or possible suspension for non-compliance.