JAKARTA,LITERASIHUKUM.COM March 29, 2026 — Starting yesterday, Friday, March 28, 2026, the Indonesian government officially enacted Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 concerning Governance of Electronic System Administration in Child Protection, known as PP Tunas. This regulation directly restricts children under the age of 16 from owning or accessing accounts on high-risk digital platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox. This policy makes Indonesia the first non-Western country to implement strict age restrictions in the digital realm.

Background to the Birth of PP Tunas

Rooted in the emergency condition of child protection in cyberspace. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, internet access for Indonesian children has soared to 70 million. However, this has been followed by a surge in cases of child pornography, cyberbullying leading to suicide, grooming by online predators, and algorithm addiction that damages children's brain development. Previous regulations such as the Child Protection Law and the ITE Law were deemed insufficient to force digital platforms to be responsible. Therefore, the government chose a proactive approach through delegated legislation.

PP Tunas Drafting Process

The drafting process of PP Tunas proceeded systematically. Initially, the revision of the ITE Law in 2024 (Law Number 1 of 2024) provided a legal basis through Article 16A paragraph (5) and Article 16B paragraph (3). In March 2025, President Prabowo Subianto ratified Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 with a full one-year transition period for platforms to adjust their systems. During this period, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) conducted harmonization, public testing, and coordination with industry players. Finally, on March 6, 2026, Minister of Komdigi Meutya Hafid issued Ministerial Regulation Komdigi Number 9 of 2026 as a technical implementing regulation. Finally, on March 28, 2026, the first phase of implementation officially began.

Main Content and Mechanism of Government Regulation on Child Protection in the Digital Space

The core of the Government Regulation on Child Protection in the Digital Space is a risk-based approach. Platforms are categorized into high-risk (social media and gaming) with a minimum age limit of 16 years, and low-risk with a limit of 13 years. Electronic System Operators (ESOs) are required to conduct reliable age verification, not just self-declaration, and provide parental control features, age-based content classification, and a ban on profiling children's data for commercial purposes. Sanctions are administrative, up to blocking access in Indonesia, without directly targeting children or parents. This approach is not a total internet ban, but rather a delay of access until the child is considered psychologically ready.

Sanctions for Platforms that Violate

The government imposes gradual sanctions ranging from warnings, temporary suspension of access, to permanent termination of service access.

From a legal perspective, the Government Regulation on Child Protection in the Digital Space has a solid foundation. This regulation is in line with the Child Protection Law, the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by Indonesia. Constitutionally, this policy reflects the principle of a paternalistic state in protecting vulnerable groups as stipulated in Article 28B of the 1945 Constitution. This risk-based approach also follows global trends, as implemented by Australia and several European countries, but Indonesia is more assertive in enforcement against platforms.

Implementation Challenges and Public Reaction

However, the implementation of the Government Regulation on Child Protection in the Digital Space is not without challenges. Cybersecurity experts such as Alfons Tanujaya highlight three main issues: technical age verification without violating privacy, the digital divide between urban and rural areas, and the risk of underground accounts emerging. On the other hand, public reaction is divided. The majority of parents and child psychologists welcome it as a historic step, while some IT legal experts question the potential for state overreach that could conflict with the right to information (Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution). The possibility of a judicial review in the Constitutional Court also emerges as one scenario.

As of March 27, 2026, only two platforms (X and Bigo Live) have been declared fully cooperative, while others are still in the process of adjustment.

Conclusion

Overall, the PP Tunas strengthens the responsibility of digital platforms and affirms that the growth of the digital economy should not sacrifice child safety. For legal practitioners, this regulation is an important case study on legal adaptation to technological disruption. Future success depends heavily on strict enforcement, massive digital literacy for parents and teachers, and collaboration from all parties. Whether the PP Tunas will become a global model or create new challenges, only time will tell.