April 23, 2026 | 07:07 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's efforts to strengthen child protection in the digital space have entered a new phase, with YouTube officially complying with the government's PP Tunas Regulation, which imposes stricter rules on platform access and content governance.
YouTube complied with the PP Tunas by restricting users to those aged 16 and under on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as reported by Antara. The Google-owned platform is classified as a high-risk app and therefore required to comply with these stricter regulations.
The move follows a series of regulatory steps taken by the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi), which has categorized certain digital platforms as high risk due to their potential exposure to harmful content, data vulnerabilities, and addictive usage patterns among minors.
According to data from Kemkomdigi, the process toward compliance unfolded over several weeks. On March 27, 2026, Google introduced child protection features that gave parents greater control over screen time, marking an early adaptation to the regulation.
A day later, on March 28, the government formally enforced restrictions on social media access for children under 16. Kemkomdigi then summoned Google on March 30 for a compliance review, though the company did not attend the initial meeting. A second summons was issued on April 2, which also went unanswered.
Following these missed engagements, the ministry issued a formal warning to Google on April 9. Compliance was ultimately confirmed on April 22, when YouTube submitted an official letter acknowledging adherence to the regulation.
As part of its compliance, YouTube has taken several steps to align with the Tunas Regulation. These include submitting a formal compliance report to Kemkomdigi, deactivating accounts belonging to users under 16, and eliminating advertisements targeted at children and teenagers.
The regulation also emphasizes stricter oversight of platform practices, particularly those related to user data transparency and content moderation.
Why YouTube Is Classified as High Risk
Under the Ministerial Regulation No. 9 of 2026, high-risk platforms are defined by several criteria, including threats to children’s personal data security, exposure to inappropriate content such as pornography and violence, and the potential to trigger psychological and physiological health issues.
Authorities have also raised concerns about addictive usage patterns, noting that prolonged access to such platforms can encourage compulsive behavior among younger users.
Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid welcomed YouTube’s compliance, stating that the government appreciates the platform’s formal acknowledgment of the regulation.
“The government appreciates that YouTube, under Google, has submitted an official compliance letter to the Directorate General of Digital Space Supervision,” she said.
The policy is part of Indonesia’s broader effort to create a safer digital ecosystem, particularly for children, while ensuring that global technology companies adhere to national regulations.
As enforcement continues, the government is expected to maintain close oversight of digital platforms to ensure consistent implementation and to address any emerging risks in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Read: Roblox Age Limits Fall Short of Indonesia's Child Safety Rules, Says Minister
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Warns YouTube Over Child Protection Rules
8 hari lalu
The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has declared that YouTube has not yet met the requirements of PP Tunas.
Users Report 90-Second Unskippable Ads on YouTube
13 hari lalu
This longer advertisement reportedly appears on the YouTube TV app, not on mobile devices.
Meta, YouTube Found Liable in US Social Media Addiction Case
28 hari lalu
California jury declared that social media giants Meta and YouTube were liable for harming a young woman by designing their platforms to be addictive.
Indonesia Bans Social Media Accounts for Children Under 16
47 hari lalu
Indonesia's Komdigi bans children under 16 from using platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
YouTube Targets Ad Blockers, Pushes Users to Premium?
19 Februari 2026
Video-sharing platform YouTube is reportedly adopting a new tactic to attract more premium subscribers and ad viewers.
Russia Blocks YouTube and WhatsApp
13 Februari 2026
More websites and messaging apps are blocked in Russia, leaving users to find workarounds and question the future of the internet.
US: Meta, YouTube on Trial Over Kids' Social Media Addiction
10 Februari 2026
The US bellwether case could reshape how social media is designed for children, with Meta and YouTube accused of harming users via addictive features.
MTV Shuts Down 24-Hour Music Channel After 44 Years, What's Left?
1 Januari 2026
Among the ideas considered is transforming MTV into a digital music platform that could compete with streaming services like Spotify and YouTube.
Tempo's YouTube Channel Restored, but Some Content Still Under Recovery
11 Desember 2025
Tempo's account disappeared because one of the channel managers' emails was hijacked. YouTube advises keeping your account secure.
SAFEnet Suspects Cyberattack Behind Tempo's Missing YouTube Account
11 Desember 2025
SAFEnet suspects a digital attack resulting in the disappearance of Tempo's Youtube account on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, around 07:00 AM.
