Indonesia Issues Regulation to Protect Children Amid Digital Transformation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas said Regulation No. 9/2026 on Communication and Digital Affairs was enacted to protect children amid rapid digital transformation.

He noted that the digital revolution has created a new ecosystem, including the rise of educational and influential content creators. “On the other hand, the government also has a major responsibility to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, especially children,” Minister Supratman said during a meeting with digital platform companies in Jakarta on Thursday, April 9, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

In 2025, Indonesia recorded about 240 million active internet users, with around 70 million of them children under 16. This prompted the government to limit children’s access to social media, as stipulated in Ministerial Regulation No. 9/2026, which took effect on March 28, 2026.

Minister Supratman emphasized that the policy aims to protect children from age-inappropriate content and draws on best practices from other countries. He added that the Ministry of Law plays a strategic role in drafting and overseeing regulations amid a fast-moving digital revolution that has erased communication barriers across borders.

Beyond child protection, the ministry is also pushing for fair royalties for creative industry players. The government seeks to establish a more transparent and equitable royalty distribution mechanism in the global digital ecosystem. “Indonesia is a large market with significant potential, so a joint commitment from the industry is necessary,” Minister Supratman said.

He stressed that the government remains open to dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders. The ministry will continue consulting with industry actors during the regulatory harmonization process to balance protection with commercial interests.

Support for Indonesia’s efforts came from the Executive Vice President of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), Marc Mealy, who highlighted the council’s commitment to child protection in the digital space.

Representing about 180 companies across sectors, USABC pledged to strengthen policy implementation and dialogue with the Indonesian government. “We are prepared to be a strategic partner for the Indonesian government in developing a healthy and sustainable business ecosystem, including supporting economic growth targets,” Mealy said.

Google Indonesia’s Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Putri Alam, and Meta Indonesia’s spokesperson, Rendy Novalianto, echoed similar support. Representatives from technology firms also raised issues such as industry involvement in regulatory drafting, transparency in policy implementation, data protection, and the development of artificial intelligence.

The meeting, which included USABC delegates and representatives from global technology companies such as Meta, Google, Apple, and Salesforce, explored collaboration in digital regulation, child protection, and the development of a technology-based creative economy ecosystem. It marked an important step in strengthening synergy between the Indonesian government and international partners to create adaptive, inclusive, and equitable regulations in the digital era. ***