TikTok, YouTube deactivate 4.7 million child accounts in Indonesia amid new rules

Indonesia has begun enforcing sweeping restrictions on children’s access to social media, with TikTok and YouTube deactivating millions of underage accounts as part of compliance with new government rules, according to a Reuters report.Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said that a total of around 4.7 million accounts belonging to users under the age of 16 have been removed so far. TikTok accounted for the bulk of the action, deactivating approximately 4.1 million accounts, while Alphabet-owned YouTube disabled roughly 600,000 accounts.The removals follow regulations introduced earlier this year that require platforms classified as “high risk” to identify and deactivate accounts held by minors. The policy, which came into force in March 2026, is part of Indonesia’s broader push to tighten controls over children’s online activity and address growing concerns about digital safety.Authorities have said the measures are aimed at reducing exposure to harmful online content, including cyberbullying, pornography and scams, as well as curbing excessive screen time. The rules apply to a wide range of platforms beyond TikTok and YouTube, including services operated by Meta and other global technology companies.Minister Hafid said the government is currently reviewing compliance reports submitted by technology companies and expects further enforcement actions as platforms continue to implement age-related restrictions. She noted that the policy is not only intended to limit access for younger users but also to encourage companies to rethink how their services are designed and managed for children.The rollout has been gradual, with companies given time to adjust their systems and identify accounts that fall under the new rules. Officials have indicated that additional measures may be introduced to ensure full compliance across the digital ecosystem.TikTok, owned by ByteDance, and YouTube have previously engaged with Indonesian authorities over the policy framework. While neither company immediately commented on the latest account deactivations, both have indicated in earlier statements that they are working with regulators to align with local requirements on child safety and platform governance.Indonesia’s move places it among a growing number of countries introducing stricter oversight of children’s use of social media. Policymakers globally have been exploring similar restrictions, reflecting increasing concern about the impact of digital platforms on minors’ well-being and behaviour. The Indonesian government has described its approach as a necessary response to what it considers a serious online safety challenge affecting young users.The deactivation of millions of accounts marks one of the largest enforcement actions under the new rules so far, as authorities continue to monitor compliance and work with platforms to implement safeguards aimed at protecting children in the digital environment.Also read: Australia’s under-16 social media ban shows limited impact on teen usage: study